InnoLas Solutions is offering an automated laser cutting machine with an integrated soft wafer breaking process to produce half cells or quarter cells to reduce device-inherent resistivity, boosting overall module output by a claimed 10-15W.
Problem
Increasing cell efficiency is one way to reduce the cost of solar power. The reduction of the cell-to-module losses during module assembly presents another strategy which allows a significant increase of PV module power output by integrating only one additional process step. The device-inherent resistivity together with the high photo-induced current of the solar cells within one string is causing significant electrical losses when cell-to-cell interconnection takes place during the stringing process. This represents one of the main contributors to electrical performance and has therefore a high impact on later module efficiency.
Solution
When using half or quarter cells instead of full cells, the impact of the cell resistivity in one string can be lowered due to the reduction of the photo-induced current per unit cell. Research at independent German institutes have revealed that the output power of half-cell modules increases up to 10-15W, driven by significantly higher Isc and FF. A 6 months real-world outdoor measurement in Germany using half-cell modules confirmed a + 3% higher average module power yield in comparison to standard modules and represents a strong argument for using cell cutting to reduce cell to module losses.
Applications
Laser cutting and soft breaking of quarter and or half solar cells.
Platform
InnoLas offers an integrated solution based on its new ILM-2 laser machine and handling platform for an advanced precise and high-aspect ratio laser grooving process together with a soft breaking method. With a high throughput of 2850 cells/h of incoming full cells the machine package represents the first production cell cutting tool in the market.
Availability
September 2014 onwards.
