Heraeus Photovoltaics and Ulbrich team on production of advanced ribbon technology

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Half-cut cells were pioneered by the likes of REC Group, cutting cell to module losses and boosting Watt output. Image: REC

Major solar PV materials firm Heraeus Photovoltaics has teamed with PV ribbon manufacturer Ulbrich Solar Technologies to produce a new line of Heraeus’ patented advanced ‘Selectively Coated Ribbons’ (SCR) for module manufacturing customers.

PV ribbon is the standard product to interconnect solar cells into a string to form the module. Heraeus’ SCR technology is claimed to be a breakthrough in conventional ribbon use, due the ribbon designed with stripes of highly-reflective white coating running along its edges, with the solder coating material in the middle section.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

This is said to provide a power gain of up to 2.2 Watts at the module level, including compatibility with half-cut cells. TCT 400 reliability tests were passed and 240 kWh/m² UV-DH testing were also passed, according to the company.

Dr. Weiming Zhang, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Heraeus Photovoltaics said, “Solutions like our Selectively Coated Ribbons are another example of why we invest so heavily into R&D. This partnership with Ulbrich will help us bring this innovation to market quickly so the industry can continue to make solar the most efficient and important renewable energy source.” 

Peter Berghofer, the General Manager of Ulbrich added, “New products for module manufacturing need to meet demanding requirements and must be cost competitive, innovative and reliable. The new SCR fulfils those expectations by increasing the power of every single module without any investment or additional effort for the module manufacturers. We expect this product to be a real game changer in module manufacturing.” 

Ulbrich is expected to initially sell its Selectively Coated Ribbons in Europe, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, Mexico and the United States. 

Heraeus noted that Ulbrich would be starting sampling to key customers in September 2018, with several hundred megawatts of module manufacturing projected to be supported by 2019.

Read Next

October 13, 2025
Korean chemical production firm OCI Holdings has acquired a 65% stake in a Vietnamese solar wafer production plant, intending to export solar wafers to the US.
October 13, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy has acquired a minority stake in fellow US-based solar cell producer Talon PV.
Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
The European solar module market has reached a “state of equilibrium” in recent weeks, with stable prices and regular demand.
October 10, 2025
US solar recycling firm OnePlanet has achieved the R2v3 certification from electronics sustainability non-profit SERI, which represents the “highest standards of traceability”.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK