A photovoltaic industry survey on post-lamination module manufacturing

Nowlan, M. J.; Kurth, W.; Harmon, T. D.; McCormick, T. W.; Murach, J. M.; Breen, W. F.; Hogan, S. J.; Diver, M. R.; Symko, M.I.; Rummel, S.

doi:10.1063/1.57940

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

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“…2 Individual company responses were kept confidential and pooled with the responses from other companies to create an industry profile. Spire delivered a survey report 3 to NREL and a paper based on this data was presented in September, 1998, at the National Center for Photovoltaics Program Review Meeting. 4 Module assembly and testing processes were found to be similar among the manufacturers.…”

Section: Survey Of Pv Module Manufacturersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Spire delivered a survey report 3 to NREL and a paper based on this data was presented in September, 1998, at the National Center for Photovoltaics Program Review Meeting. 4 Module assembly and testing processes were found to be similar among the manufacturers. Processes done by 75% or more of the respondents include module edge trimming, edge sealing, framing, junction box installation, tracking, labeling, and storing between processes.…”

Section: Survey Of Pv Module Manufacturersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pins extend through the frame mounting holes to hold the each frame section securely in place. 4. After the sealant-filled frame sections are locked in place, air cylinders press the frame sections together.…”

Section: Figure 20mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Post-Lamination Manufacturing Process Automation for Photovoltaic Modules

Nowlan¹,

Murach²,

McCormick³

et al. 1999

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This report describes work performed by Spire Corporation during Phase 1of this three-phase PVMaT subcontract to develop new automated post-lamination processes for PV module manufacturing. These processes are applicable to a very broad range of module types, including those made with wafer-based and thin-film solar cells. No off-the-shelf automation was available for these processes prior to this program. Spire conducted a survey of PV module manufacturers to identify current industry practices and to determine the requirements for the automated systems being developed in this program. Spire also completed detailed mechanical and electrical designs and developed software for two prototype automation systems: a module buffer storage system, designated the SPI-BUFFER 350, and an integrated module testing system, designated the SPI-MODULE QA 350. Researchers fabricated, tested, and evaluated both systems with module components from several module manufacturers. A new size simulator, the SPI-SUN SIMULATOR 350i, was designed with a test area that can handle most production modules without consuming excessive floor space. Spire's subcontractor, the Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI) at the University of Texas, developed and demonstrated module edge trimming, edge sealing, and framing processes that are suitable for automation. The automated processes under development throughout this program are being designed to be combined together to create automated production lines. ARRI completed a cost study to determine the level of investment that can be justified by implementing automation for post-lamination assembly and testing processes. The study concluded that a module production line operating two shifts per day and producing 10 MW of modules per year can justify $2.37 million in capital equipment, assuming a 5-year payback period.

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Section: Survey Of Pv Module Manufacturersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Survey Of Pv Module Manufacturersmentioning

confidence: 99%