Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger is to supply its SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT) to integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group.
REC Group has pioneered volume production (1GW plus nameplate capacity) of P-type multicrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) half-cut cell technology in recent years with its ‘TwinPeak’ series modules, which are produced in Singapore.
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Meyer Burger said that its SmartWire technology would be used in the manufacturing of REC’s ‘newest high efficiency solar modules’ with equipment delivered and installed starting in the second quarter of 2018. Actual capacity and financial details of the order were not disclosed.
However, Meyer Burger told PV Tech that its SmartWire technology could be used with half-cut cells. The company had highlighted its third generation of SmartWire technology at the inaugural PV ModuleTech conference in Malaysia last year, highlighting step-function improvements for high-volume manufacturing and production cost savings of over US$5 million per 100MW production line.
The technology is designed to reduce cell to module power losses, compared to standard busbar technologies, notably in high-performance modules driven by the migration to P-type monocrystalline PERC and heterojunction (HJ) cells and reduce silver content to support lower manufactuirng costs.
Steve O’Neil, CEO of REC Group said, “With the implementation of Meyer Burger’s innovative SmartWire Connection technology to connect our ground-breaking combination of new cell technologies, we can further significantly increase the power level of our next generation high efficiency PV modules.”
Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger Technology added: “Our pioneering SmartWire Connection Technology delivers a quantum leap in solar module manufacturing technology and clearly demonstrates Meyer Burger’s leadership in driving the technology roadmap in key areas of the PV industry. We are proud of our close partnerhship with REC which is one of the most renowned international brands for solar modules. Their choice of our cutting-edge SWCT technology represents an important industry and technological milestone for us.”