Meyer Burger’s ‘Ibex’ SWCT stringer system offers increased performance and low manufacturing costs

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
SWCT features a dense contact matrix which reduces electrical resistance and minimizes shading by a remarkable 25%. Image: Meyer Burger

Meyer Burger’s patented SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT) uses a patented foil-wire electrode with up to 24 round wires to electrically interconnect solar cells and is said to set a benchmark in terms of module performance and low manufacturing costs within the ‘Ibex’ SWCT stringer system.

Problem

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The continued requirement to reduce PV module production costs has led to greater emphasis on cost-competitiveness while increasing module power and production capacity. Manufacturers are evaluating the next generation of cell connection technology in order to reduce the usage of cost-intensive silver.

Solution

SWCT features a dense contact matrix which reduces electrical resistance and minimizes shading by a remarkable 25%. The round wires enable a higher light retention in the solar cell, and reflect less light back which further contributes to higher energy efficiency. SWCT does not need any busbar print or soldering pads which directly affects silver consumption. On a bifacial HJT solar module for example, a 50 % reduction in silver results in 6 % lower module material costs.  

Applications

SWCT is compatible to all crystalline silicon cell technologies: selective emitter, PERC and Heterojunction (HJT) in both p- and n-type cells.

Platform

The ‘Ibex’ SWCT stringer uses the SmartWire foil-wire electrode to interconnect solar cells to strings of variable lengths. Its compact and scalable design enables various degrees of throughput and levels of automation. Key features include a unique gripping system and high throughput and a camera system that detects wrong cell orientation and edge defects and is said to achieve a production yield of 98 to 99 %.

Availability

June 2018, onwards. 

8 October 2024
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 8-9 October 2024 is our second PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The event in 2023 was a sell out success and 2024 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
26 November 2024
Málaga, Spain
Understanding PV module supply to the European market in 2025. PV ModuleTech Europe 2024 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of module supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, traceability of supply-chain, factory auditing, module testing and reliability, and company bankability.

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA
Solar Media Events
April 17, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
May 1, 2024
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
May 21, 2024
Napa, USA