PES Solar 1 2019

ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS a high level of innovation and R&D in all our encapsulant material polymerization efficiency of the photovoltaic modules. equipment, updating continuously and process. This transformation process, during Every machine encompasses the best releasing new features and solutions that which the multi-layer module becomes one technology in order to perform the best enable the production process, quality and unit, is one key step as it influences the measurement possible. cycle times. lifetime of the module. The LED sun simulator, ECOSUN PLUS, is the We do compete daily with Chinese equipment Our ECOLAM laminators can be configured in 1st LED sun simulator on the market for PV suppliers. Our approach is to keep a very different ways, such as the size, single step module testing and IV curve measurement. It competitive price, maintaining our equipment or double step, automatic loading and is certified A+A+A++ by TÜV and it follows the to the highest European and safety standards. unloading belts, pin lift systems, vertical IEC 60904-9 ed.3 standard. storage solutions and advanced cooling One key aspect, which allows us to maintain systems (i.e. Cooling press). Due to a steady irradiance test and light competitive prices is to optimize production soaking capabilities, it is suitable for testing times and the cost of our equipment. In order With the selection of the proper encapsulant all the new varieties of solar modules and new to do this, we continuously invest in our (EVA, POE, PVB etc…) it is possible to obtain high efficiency solar cells such as PERC, HIT, internal procedures to improve our different cycle times according to the desired bifacial, back-contact, thin film and hybrid production efficiency, with automated throughput of the production line. The silicon solar cells. The LED technology warehousing, integrated and dedicated ECOLAM series works with all the available ensures a much longer life time, no software systems and assembly solutions. encapsulants, also for an ultra fast cure. It is recharging time between tests, very low capable of laminating not only standard PV maintenance costs, excellent long pulse PES: Can you tell us about your laminators, modules but also particular architectonic duration up to 5 seconds and a much better what are they used for? modules with prismatic glass, double glass, stability of the light source over time. colored glass, transparent back-sheet and LS: Ecoprogetti offers fully automatic flexible modules. We offer electroluminescence test systems, solutions for the lamination of photovoltaic to be integrated into a production line, or modules. Our laminator technology has full PES: Are you able to tell us more about stand-alone for laboratory tests. The EL test electrical heating, not oil based, guaranteeing testing machines and its importance to station, ECOLAB EL, enables the user to the maximum flexibility in terms of Ecoprogetti? perform a thorough and extensive check of temperature balancing, control and uniformity. the production and allows the process to be The ECOLAM series has excellent vacuum LS: Ecoprogetti’s main testing equipment for continually monitored and to make levels and the gel content tests performed on PV modules is the innovative LED sun improvements based on the raw material in the laminates give optimal results. simulator, the Electroluminescence tester use. With the assistance of adapters, it’s (EL) and the Hi-pot tester. These testing possible to test single cells or strings not yet The solar laminator machine enables the machines control the quality and the New building Ecoprogetti 2018 WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 51

ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS Stringer machine 6BB - ETS2100 laminated. Its high-resolution cameras take in the production process. CO2 emissions. excellent images and the auto detection software provides automatic detection of We use both robots and XY axis in PES: Geographically speaking, where are relevant defects. automation and we choose, depending on your main markets and are there any areas the application, the best automation or you are currently targeting? The hi-pot tester performs tests on framed combination of automations. and frameless modules, thanks to a conductive LS: Ecoprogetti’s main markets are: India, sponge that guarantees the isolation test over We integrate the robotic operation in our Middle East and Europe, these are where we the whole surface of the module. solutions (Strings layup, glass loading, opearate the most and where we have a total packing, and more) and are very flexible and of 9.5GW installed production lines. Ecoprogetti offers an instrument which customizable, the software is made entirely checks the electrical insulation of the internally, without third parties, 100% Now more than in past ,the African continent modules during the production process in customizable and controlled by Ecoprogetti. is opening up to the solar industry and we are compliance with the IEC 61215/61730 for targeting that market. We already have 2 1000V and 1500V. PES: How do you ensure you adhere to your installed production lines in Ghana and green policy and economic sustainability and Mozambique and in North Africa, we have PES: Does this add value to the machines in how does this manifest itself in the company? lines in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. terms of life span, production and quality? LS: In our company we use green renewable Some new markets are undoubtedly starting LS: A thorough quality inspection throughout energy to power our production site in Italy with the solar and there is no other the production line and a corresponding and our clients are becoming more and investment that has a higher growth optimization of the production process, will more part of this green philosophy. Thanks expectation than this, every Bloomberg definitely improve the PV panels’ life span, to the know-how transfer provided during report states this too. quality and efficiency. our complete trainings, our clients also learn how to work in a green, Energry demand is increasing everywhere and PES: Could you explain to us what robotic environmentally friendly way. Ecoprogetti the most quick, available everywhere, automation is and its various uses? is certified by ForGreen as a Green efficient, zero emissions and cost competitive Generation Company, saving thousands of energy source is the SOLAR ENERGY. LS: Robotic automation is the use of robots www.ecoprogetti.com 52 PES SOLAR

100% Made in italy WWW.ecoprogetti.coM 300MW ONE PARTNER ONLY FOR THE COMPLETE LINE FULLY AUTOMATIC BUSSING MACHINE NEW Fully automatic soldering of the interconnection COME VISIT US! between the strings inclusing automatic ribbon InterSolar Europe placing and induction soldering method for the 15-17 May; Booth: C1.320 highest performance and quality. The Solar Show Philippines 20-21 May; Booth: 1N12 CHArACTErISTICS: • Cycle time <30 sec • Available for 5-6 BusBar • Machine capacity: 250MW line • Customizable for your panel size/shape • Automatic loading and unloading • Automatic centering system • Automatic soldering of interconnections • Optional for half cut cells module ECOPROGETTI Srl Via dell’Industria e dell’Artigianato, 27/C, 22/D, 35010 Carmignano di Brenta (PD) Italy. Tel: +39 049 7444900 ; E-mail: [email protected] 100% Made in Italy, www.ECOprOGETTI.COM

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THINK TANK Mirror concept for silicon heterojunction solar cell smart manufacturing Words: Dr Omid Shojaei and Loris Barraud, Indeotec Silicon heterojunction solar cells (SHJ) have gained more attention during this past decade as a good candidate for being the next generation of mainstream photovoltaics. This might be explained as a consequence of high solar cell power conversion efficiency at a moderate cost. The efficiency potential of SHJ solar cell is now demonstrated, with outstanding solar cell efficiencies exceeding 25% reported from R&D labs. Taking into account the industry driver for silicon (a-Si:H) deposition system, the key relatively low processing temperature. the production of the solar cell, namely its component for SHJ performances, still Deposition systems, capable of coating cost per watt peak, the role of today’s remains one of the major costs for hydrogenated amorphous silicon layers, are equipment manufacturer is to propose manufacturing SHJ solar cells. often based on Plasma-Enhanced Chemical equipment capable of producing a high Vapor Deposition, PECVD, or Hot-Wire efficiency SHJ solar cell, at a low cost. In order to manufacture SHJ solar cells, a Chemical Vapor Deposition. Existing PE- or Despite the relatively simple process flow of stack of intrinsic and doped hydrogenated HW- CVD solutions are solely 1-sided SHJ solar cells, hydrogenated amorphous amorphous silicon needs to be deposited on deposition systems. both sides of the silicon wafers, at a Figure 1. Process flow example of SHJ solar cell manufacturing. 56 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK Figure 2. Indeotec MIRROR process flow. Moreover, in order to avoid cross- the number of PECVD reactors involved, but machined in order to allow deposition from contamination between intrinsic and doped also results in much less wafer handling. both sides. The clearance gap behind the a-Si:H layers, from run-to-run processes, wafer changes the plasma discharge either induced by dopant remaining on wall of Therefore, the total cost of PEVCD processing resulting in less power dissipated above the the reactor, or on the carrier holder itself, the is drastically reduced. In order to be wafer. This decrease in effective power deposition system is often complexified. industrially viable and thus, at least maintain reduces the deposition rate. In essence, this the price per watt peak, that new simplified is not a dramatic issue, as one can simply In order to prevent this run-to-run cross process must not have any detrimental effect increase the input power in order to contamination, silicon wafers are exchanged on cell performance. The novel substrate compensate this drop. However, this would from different carrier holders into different holder, where wafers are no longer in physical also increase the dissipated power in the area processing chambers, used for only one type contact with the carrier plate, may also bring close to the wafers’ periphery, resulting in of layer deposition. These result in numerous additional value for surface passivation, non-uniform films with a thicker layer at the costly reactors and complexify the handling preventing any mechanical scratches on the wafer’s edge, extending towards a thinner of fragile wafers. surface of the silicon wafers. layer at the middle of the silicon wafer. A schematic of such a process flow is Problematic Such non-uniformity needs to be represented in figure 1. Such a process flow compensated for SHJ process. Particularly, offers the safest SHJ solar cell In order to make such simple deposition the intrinsic layer thickness of the emitter manufacturing in regards to run-to-run cross process flow possible, there are many pitfalls side, is seen to be critical for device contamination, but obviously impeded the to be taken into consideration. Particularly, efficiency. Ideally, one would like to processing complexity and cost. non-uniformity in layer thickness, induced by circumvent this non-uniformity by finding a the clearance gap between the silicon way to compensate it regardless of the In order to circumvent these issues, a novel substrate and the grounded chamber, process parameters. Therefore, Indeotec approach, based on coating of both sides of inherent to the open substrate holder, which patented the Mirror compensation, which the silicon wafers, with neither carrier allows deposition from both sides needs to allows for uniform thin-film thickness. exchange nor vacuum break, has been be addressed. developed. The developed solution consists Deposition of amorphous layer on bifacial of two different PECVD reactors, one In a classic configuration of parallel plate substrate holder impeded the layer allowing deposition from the top side of the PECVD reactors, the silicon substrate thickness uniformity and results in a loss of silicon wafers, hereafter called MIRRORTOP, directly lies on the grounded substrate typically 30% of the deposition rate in the and its mirror symmetry counterpart, which holder. In this case, the plasma shape is center of the wafer, as compared to the allows deposition from the bottom side of continuous since the wafer lies on a surface wafer periphery. Such non-uniformity the silicon wafers, MIRRORBOTTOM. homogeneously grounded. cannot meet requirements imposed by SHJ solar cell processing and requires a On top of that, using an anti-cross- Whereas, in the case of the investigated dedicated countermeasure. contamination treatment, preventing Mirror concept, the substrate holder is contamination from run-to-run processing, reduces the process flow to its simplest form, which can be described in 2 steps. First, silicon wafers enter the first deposition chamber, for coating doped a-Si:H layer, on top of the intrinsic layer iteratively on one side of the silicon substrate. Then, the carrier holder moves into the second deposition chamber, for the subsequent stack of intrinsic/doped layer bottom deposition. Due to the possibility of coating from both sides, no vacuum break and no wafer flipping is needed throughout the entire PECVD process flow. Such an innovative process flow, does not only reduce WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 57

THINK TANK Suppression Suppression of cross-contamination of cross-contamination by INDEOtecʼs by INDEOtecʼs set of treatment set of treatment Loading / Buffer-in / Bottom-side Chamber Top-side Buffer-out / Venting / Pumping Heating Dep. moduel change Dep. moduel Cooling Unloading down 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 33 The process flow In line Outfeed, with Therefore, the novel Mirror compensation 12 4 67 respect to facility has been developed to circumvent this issue. With this compensation method, the layer conditions thickness uniformity can be kept lower than +/- 5%, allowing its use in the field of SHJ – opposed or solar cell production. SHJ solar cell performances in excess of 23% have been neighboring/ achieved with this simplified Mirror process flow highlighting the success of this 55 loading/unloading. implementation. This level of efficiency has been achieved with a process flow reduced to smart manufacturing of SHJ solar cells. This features combined together provide the its simplest form, where the cost of the machine combines three main features: market with a machine, which has the highest PECVD system is drastically reduced. Mirror PECVD reactors for Top & Bottom throughput, with the smallest footprint. The Moreover, with such a simple process flow, deposition, ACCT to solve the cross- nominal throughput of Octopus III is in the high throughput required by the solar cell contamination issues between the intrinsic range of 140 MW for M2 wafers and manufacturers can be more easily achieved. and doped layers, and the parallel processing. approaches 160 MW for M4 wafers. The latest version stacks ECVD reactors, one Octopus III: mass production PECVD on the top of the other. This therefore Octopus III and the proprietary PECVD process machine decreases the machine’s footprint, reducing chambers have been optimized for excellent the cost of components such as gas boxes, passivation layer quality, low footprint and Indeotec has developed the most dedicated process pumps and controlling units. These significantly reduced handling steps. PECVD machine, called OCTOPUS III, for the New Products Releases Octo-Light There are a couple of new products coming on to the market from Indeotec. First is the light version of the Octopus II-PECVD cluster machine (R&D and Pilot machine) called Octo-Light. This new product combines any of the well proven PECVD reactors, either classic, High Temperature, Mirror Top or Mirror Bottom, with a single position load lock module. This product is meant to be more affordable than the cluster version. However, the PECVD module is exactly the same as those used in the cluster version and can be assembled around the cluster platform at any time in the future. Thanks to ACCT, Indeotec is able to provide full processing options for SHJ, even with only one single reactor. The best results from this reactor (1 chamber processing) is 23.6% and is made at the Indeotec lab. The Octo-light is available for commercialization. 58 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK PVD standalone Indeotec extended its PVD product portfolio by offering the Octopus II - PVD as a standalone configuration. This machine is very flexible in terms of the number of processing modules for Top and Bottom side depositions, heating module and can be either single-ended or double-ended. In the latest model, the substrate can enter the machine at any side and exit at the opposite side. Furthermore, Indeotec has been working closely with its supplier for the integration of various sputtering sources, such as single planar or cylindrical cathodes, dual planar cathodes, as well as low damage cathodes, particularly suited for SHJ solar cells, as sputtering damage can be crucial. This product is also ready for commercialization. www.indeotec.com WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 59

TALKING POINT Colors of the sky: evolution of the spectral measurement technology and applications Words: Kees Hoogendijk & Mário Pó, EKO Instruments ‘Observe the evening red sky, which gives a reliable Inspired by the ‘colors of the sky’ at an early forecast of fair weather next day’. We’ve all heard stage EKO developed interest to provide this expression, which has a long history and valid measurement solutions to quantify solar phenomena for mid latitude regions. What is behind energy distribution within the solar spectrum the ordinary bright and white sunlight, which is and spectral sky irradiance. Both affect many actually composed of a spectrum of colors that vital processes on earth and the diverse grade from violets and blues at one end to oranges applications of solar energy feed our ideas and reds on the other end. and ambitions to develop new technology and measurement methods. How it started Global Irradiance has been measured with pyranometers for over the last hundred years, spectral measurement technology 60 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Page 2 - figure 1 Figure 1 solar spectrum and band (UV, VIS, NIR) Page 4 - figure 3 initial stages of development, presenting The ruddy color effects from scattering several technical challenges. Data acquisition of sunlight by particles and aerosols in the and turn-key spectral devices came much was performed by either observing analog troposphere. The sunrays travel a longer later. With a spectrometer it is as if you look meters, or by paper chart recorders writing path during sunrise and sunset than at at the distribution of light with a microscope the data to a paper roll with a writing needle any other time of day. For a clear sky day, and are capable to resolve all details of the meter. The predecessor of the the blue colors of the sky are dominated spectrum. Not only the solar spectrum but spectroradiometer at EKO was called MR-3 by selective reflected sun-rays with also the characteristics of materials when and it was the first EKO multi band shorter wavelengths, also known as exposed to light or particles in the sky, which spectrophotometer based on a turret Rayleigh scattering. Air molecules which interact with the spectral energy uniquely. method. The instrument was composed by a have the size of Ultra violet wavelength Before reaching the current spectrometer single detector, four optical cut-off filters scatters light more effectively than the technology EKO went through several stages (420nm, 500nm, 550nm and 600nm) and one red light in the solar spectrum. The of fundamental development that goes back transparent glass mounted on a rotating reason that we see a clear sky blue is due to the 1960’s. At that time, electronic wheel. The energy passing through each to the fact that the human eyes are more devices that are currently available and filter gave the total amount of energy at a sensitive to blue than to violet. Clouds will essential for many functions were at the longer wavelength than the cut off affect the sky color and brightness by wavelength, and the combined differences reflecting light in various directions. between the measured values with the glass and filters gave the energy within each of absorber materials. It also created a need wavelength band, allowing to measure the for outdoor solar spectral measurements for global horizontal radiation and to quantify the evaluation of solar cells with different the relative spectral energy intensity in each spectral characteristics. Later in the 1980’s, wavelength range. This device was mainly the all-sky Spectrophotometers MS-131 and used for photosynthesis research in the field MS-131WP were introduced. Based on the of agricultural science. former MR-3 concept the device was upgraded to a 6 band-pass filters With the oil crisis of the 1970’s the interest in combination to improve the measurement solar cells for terrestrial applications grew accuracy and cover a broader range of the considerably, leading to the fast solar spectrum from 305 to 2800 nm. More development of the solar cell industry and a technological paradigm using different types WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 61

TALKING POINT Figure 2 Evolution of the EKO Spectroradiometer than 100 units were delivered to researchers the reference among dermatologists at the pixels sensitive in the spectral range of 350 in the fields of solar energy, building university medical department for – 1050 nm with a 10 nm Full Width Half environment, material deterioration, and erythema research. Maxima (FWHM). Higher resolution spectral agriculture. Also, at that time, there was information could be obtained instantly. interest in using multi-band measurements Diffraction grating technology Over 200 units were deployed in a network for the validation of models that simulated for permanent spectral irradiance the atmospheric solar spectrum. Around the same period new technology measurements outdoors. The ground emerged. With the cost decay of diffraction verification network called Phenological Eyes With the growing awareness of substances grating technology and photodiode arrays Network (PEN) was mainly for researchers of such as chlorine or bromine influence on the significant improvements could be achieved the National Institute for Environmental Ozone depletion the Montreal protocol was in spectrometry applications. While previous Studies. It has been used since about 2003 in put into practice in 1989 with further technologies required scanning over a set of research on alternative indices of the revisions in the later years, whereas also narrow wavelength bands by a rotating Photochemical Reflectance Index using with the awareness of the anthropogenic monochromator, or band-pass and cut-off MODIS (visible and infrared range radiometer emission of greenhouse gases and resulting filters, the array grating spectrometers developed by NASA). global warming, the Kyoto Protocol was allowed separating light into several adopted in 1997. During this time period wavelengths bins and perform spectral Where networks with permanent type of EKO introduced the MS-132, a multi-filter measurements of a light source spectroradiometers were established there UV radiometer which could measure UV-A, simultaneously. The MS-700 was the first was an increasing demand for portable field UV-B and Ozone column. It became popular spectroradiometer with diffraction grating spectrometers. The MS-720 hand held sensor for companies developing cosmetics and and Silicon array detector array with 256 was used for remote sensing applications and 62 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT aPppalicgateion4s in-gfiregenuhroeuse3s and agriculture goes beyond radiation sensors, EKO has Figure 3 Principle of the spectrometer developed automatic sun-trackers to to measure Photon Active Radiation (PAR). measure with high accuracy the direct locations and weather conditions, leading to normal and diffuse components or irradiance spectral mismatches from the AM1.5. With Spectroradiometer technology advanced into for both broadband and spectral the use of outdoors spectroradiometers PV different wavelength bands along the growing instruments. Most recently the RSB-01S was technologies can be evaluated under all demand to measure the entire solar spectrum. introduced, a rotating shadow band for the atmospheric conditions, and the actual Now by stacking multiple spectrometers with spectroradiometers to measure the global, performance ratio can be quantified as a different detector arrays operating in a diffuse, and direct components of spectral function of the spectral variation during consecutive spectral range we can cover 98% irradiance with a single spectroradiometer, the day. of the total energy in the solar spectral band. presenting a cost-effective solution to From 2005 the multi spectroradiometer quantify the 3 components. www.eko-eu.com WISER systems are widely deployed as the spectral reference by leading research This year EKO will introduce new (STC*) conditions of 25 °C device operating institutes and meteorological agencies in the spectroradiometer software, adding new temperature and 1000 W/m2 irradiance with world, such as the National Institute of features for data acquisition, visualization, an Air Mass 1.5 (AM1.5) spectral distribution Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and analysis but also more advanced with low aerosol content, as defined in the (AIST) in Japan, and the National Renewable functionalities to quantify energy distribution ASTM G173-03 and IEC 60904-3 standards. Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the USA. Most of in a wide spectral range with high resolution. the WISER systems have been used for solar The solar spectral energy distribution can be cell development and solar power research. used to estimate atmospheric transmittance Also, the Japan Meteorological Association in various spectral bands under variable (JMA), at the request of the New Energy and atmospheric conditions. While devices such Industrial Technology Development as sunphotometers under sample the solar Organization (NEDO) in Japan, created and spectrum and are restricted to retrievals in maintained a spectroradiometer network the specified bands, grating and database, with the prospect of evaluating spectroradiometers measure the actual solar the power generation by different solar spectrum and can also be used to derive module technologies. atmospheric parameters such as the optical thickness, aerosol size and aerosol refractive In recent years, with the growing use of index which are most critical for validation of bifacial solar modules, it became useful to satellite derived data. Another possible observe simultaneously the sky and ground. application is the monitoring of atmospheric While the ground spectral reflectance is pollution. The integration of the constant, the surface albedo will change with spectroradiometers in sensor networks will both the spectral and angular distribution of provide a unique synergy between different light, having impacts in bifacial solar device’s instrumentations, offering a full spectrum of performance throughout the days and possibilities for diverse applications. seasons, as well as when experiencing variable irradiance conditions due to the Solar photovoltaic (PV) devices are mobility of clouds. commonly rated under the standard test conditions (STC*). Spectral conditions are New methods and applications for Solar known to differ strongly for different energy research Expertise in solar radiation measurements Spectroradiometer with Rotating Shadowband WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 63

THINK TANK Measurement technology for best-in-class accuracy Meyer Burger has been providing the most accurate cell and module measurement equipment worldwide for over 30 years. Solar cells and modules are sold based on performance categories. Therefore, precise performance measurement is critically important. Cell and module inspection systems detect possible quality insufficiencies and measure the performance. The PV market is driven by the need to reduce irradiance of 1kW/m2, spectrum according PV modules, which should not vanish due to the cost of PV electricity. In order to achieve to AM1.5 and module temperature of 25°C). poor-quality power measurement. Indeed, to that goal, efforts are made to increase cell/ The accuracy of this measurement has a yield a profit from these technological feats, module efficiency, and to reduce production direct impact on the price at which a module intensified accurate evaluation of the results is costs. Therefore, the equipment provider can be sold, and thus on the profit of the necessary. Therefore, the PV industry needs to propose to module manufacturers manufacturer. definitely needs and deserves to benefit from reliable and cost-effective solutions, taking highly accurate solar measurement equipment. into account production cycle-time, low total To determine the Pmpp measured at STC, a cost of ownership (TCO), as well as accuracy solar simulator is used at the end of each The uncertainty linked to any power and reliability. These last points apply in production line to test the PV cells and single measurement can be divided into three main particular to the measurement equipment modules. The measurement accuracy of parts: the uncertainty of the reference cells suppliers whose task is to provide solutions such equipment is a key parameter. and module used for the calibration of the for accurately determining the electrical solar simulators, the uncertainties related to performance of PV modules in operation. Great efforts are made today in R&D and the solar simulator itself, and the production processes to gain an additional measurement process (including the module The assessment of PV devices is a key issue tenth of a percent in the efficiency of complete at production level. The commercial value of a PV module is directly linked to its maximum power value (Pmpp) according to standard test conditions (STC, light Pasan module tester A+A+A+ light source Module Inspection System Glas-Glas Module 64 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK IES 60904-9 Pasan A-A-A B-B-B Spectral Match < ± 12.5% ± 25% ± 40% Uniformity < 1.0% 2% 5% Stability < 1.0% 2% 5% Light Angle < 15° - - IES 60904-1 Pasan Standard HighLight Accuracy of voltage and ± 0.1% ± 0.2% current measurement Fig. 1: Pasan A+A+A+ performance compared to IEC standard High quality xenon flash LED flash up to 600 ms accurate measurement systems, all wanting to surpass the ‘basic’ class AAA temperature and the connection/cabling class AAA simulator requires a spectral match requirements. The edition 3 of the IEC 60904- controls). Uncertainty calculation shows that of 0.75 - 1.25 (± 25%) to the AM1.5 reference 9 norm which has tighter specifications than the optical contribution is the most relevant spectral distribution for six predefined 100 or the edition 2 should come into force in early besides the reference device. 200nm wide intervals (within the total range 2020. Pasan equipment already match these of 400 to 1100nm), a non-uniformity of 2%, future requirements. For accurate power measurement of PV and long and short-term instabilities of 2% modules, it is thus crucial to use equipment and 0.5%, respectively. Meyer Burger PV measurement and testing with a high-quality light source. For that technology demonstrates the best spectral purpose, the present IEC 60904-9 The PV module manufacturers are entitled to match and uniformity available on the market international standard defines the require higher precision instruments, as the today, together with a high-quality temporal performance requirements for PV standards were defined years ago and the stability. The technology provides testing measurements, as well as their classification technology and deep know-how for using equipment with class A+A+A+ performance, with the letters A (best), B or C (worst). Each these instruments have since been improved. which was developed by Pasan, qualified by solar simulator is rated with three letters in Indeed, today’s demanding applications, are leading PV institutes and is now largely used the order of spectral match, irradiance also needed by reference institutes dealing on the market. This advanced class lives up non-uniformity on the test plane, and with various PV technologies and to the most stringent market standards for temporal instability of irradiance (Fig. 1). A conscientious producers seeking highest spectral match, uniformity, and stability. This top performance has a direct impact on the reliability of the manufacturer’s output. The benefits of PV producers are manifold when using Pasan measurement solutions. SpotLight cell tester for heterojunction and PERC cells SpotLIGHTGridTOUCH bifacial flash WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 65

THINK TANK SoftTOUCH contacts The best-in-class equipment is used for any generate financial value through an Controlled and distributed contact pressure type of PV technology, PERC or heterojunction accurate rating of the production output. It minimizes the stress on the cell, which cells and modules with dedicated solutions. contains unique contacting systems with improves the yield. high reliability, which allows high-efficiency Based in Neuchatel, Switzerland, Pasan has cell measurements. The SpotLIGHT cell testers combine a very high been active in PV testing equipment for over throughput with an accurate rating of cells at 30 years, its equipment renowned worldwide It’s newly designed high-tech interferential reduced costs, thanks to a light source as a quality reference. Since its integration filter matches the AM1.5 spectrum and design inherited from the module testers and into the Meyer Burger group, Pasan develops generates outstanding uniformity accuracy. a patented long-lasting contact system its expertise in PV measurement by It can be used with the same high quality enabling outstanding repeatable and constantly setting new standards in this standards for busbar and busbarless cells. reliable measurements. field. Besides being sought by reference The unique SoftTOUCH ultra-thin unibody institutes and laboratories, Pasan’s accuracy contacts are designed to reduce shadowing Xenon lamp source also results in added value for PV producers. for busbar cells, while the GridTOUCH solution allows the accurate measurement of The customized interferential filters and The forthcoming innovations in the Pasan busbarless, multi-busbar, IBC and MWT cells. L-shaped optical design of the xenon lamp portfolio include the new cell tester series source provide A+ class spectrum and SpotLIGHT, engineered for grid parity. It is Adapted contact material and design uniformity. The flash tubes have been developed to improve the performance and guarantees millions of contact cycles. redesigned to extend the lifetime up to 1 million flashes and its cooling system Pasan flasher spectrum considerably increases the throughput. Pasan A+A+A+ spectrum and its evaluation according to IEC 60904-9 For capacitive technologies such as PERC, heterojunction and IBC cells, a unique measurement method was developed and certified with the Fraunhofer ISE research institute. A LED pulse, lasting up to 600ms is auto- calibrated for each measurement with a high quality xenon A+A+A+ pulse. The innovative design facilitates machine operation and simplifies the user interface. Efficient temperature control reduces the cycle time to 1s, depending on the measurement process. New generation electronic load increases measurement accuracy. All mechanical and electrical interfaces are standardized to facilitate integration. The latest design developments result in increased uptime and yield which prolongs equipment lifetime and simplifies maintenance. In conclusion, Meyer Burger solutions for measuring the power of PV devices are industry-leading, cost-effective equipment which takes into account production cycle-time, low cost and particularly low TCO, while keeping outstanding measurement accuracy and repeatability. www.meyerburger.com/en/technologies/ photovoltaics/high-efficiency-technologies/ high-efficiency-measurement/ www.meyerburger.com/en/ 66 PES SOLAR

13th (2019) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition & Conference See You in 2019 Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association / Shanghai New Energy Industry Association Show Management: Follow Me Int'l Exhibition (Shanghai), Inc. Add：Room 902, Building No. 1, 2020 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200235, China Tel：+86-21-33561099 / 33561095 / 33561096 Fax：+86-21-33561089 For exhibition: [email protected] For conference: [email protected]

TALKING POINT Fig.1. View of a production hall at the Loser Chemie GmbH in Freiberg, Saxony Merger makes recycling process chain for photovoltaics more sustainable LOSER CHEMIE GmbH, Chemische Werke Tangermünde GmbH and FRESITEC GmbH are merging and bundling their expertise in to the LFFICIENCY Holding. Why? So far, many related technologies of roof. This makes the entire group of • Production of alloys and special alloys based recovery of precious raw materials have been companies even more powerful and brings on silicon located in various holding companies. In positive synergy effects for our customers. order to be able to offer our customers even • Analysis in the ppb range by means of glow more consistent solutions from a single LOSER CHEMIE GmbH will be dedicated to discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) source, it was necessary to merge the the following business areas in the future: competences. Now all topics related to raw • Further development of methods for material recovery are combined under one • P roduction of nanoparticles such as nano nondestructive treatment of used solar silver, nano copper and nano silicon modules 68 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT Fig. 2. Furnace hall at Loser Chemie GmbH SolarWorld site. The site of Chemische CHEMIE has set itself the goal of continuing Werke Tangermünde GmbH will continue, as and expanding the recycling activities of • P roduction, crystallization and remelting of the Saxony-Anhalt branch of LOSER CHEMIE SolarWorld, at the former site in Freiberg, in silicon blocks and production of silicon GmbH. As a result of this merger, the former Saxony, Germany. This is due to its 20 years’ shaped parts chief technologist of LOSER CHEMIE GmbH, experience in reworking, upgrading und Dr. Wolfram Palitzsch and the Managing recovering silicon in many forms and formats. • M echanical treatment, etching and cleaning Director of FRESITEC GmbH, Dr. Ingo Röver The company can now take the yielded silicon of silicon and other hard-brittle metals will take over the management of LOSER from the recycling process as feedstock. CHEMIE GmbH. • Production of specialty chemicals The company’s portfolio includes mechanical Whether this will ultimately go down as a and chemical processes as well as innovative • Water treatment success story, in the economic history of crystallization techniques. The headquarters of the company will be Freiberg/Saxony, is not yet clear. LOSER located at the former site of FRESITEC The spectrum at LOSER CHEMIE includes all GmbH, in Freiberg on the erstwhile kinds of high-tech equipment, for mechanical and chemical processing of silicon. Four recrystallization furnaces of the newest generation were installed (Fig. 2), which can cast ingots in sizes between 20kg and 960kg. The furnaces are suitable for the following processes: Production of ingots for solar and non-solar applications; recrystallization of silicon; purification of material Production of dopant alloys (n-type and p-type); material qualifications for silicon manufacturers; custom ingots for research purposes; directional solidification for purifying silicon in ingot sizes between 20 – 960kg (see also Fig.3); purity analysis and quality control of silicon targets and bricks through infrared (IR) and (MDP) carrier lifetime imaging including detection of cracks, inclusions and impurities Because LOSER CHEMIE GmbH uses various fully and partially automated etching tools, which are capable of chemically cleaning material, in various shapes and sizes, this Fig. 3. New silicon ingot was produced WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 69

TALKING POINT close inhouse collaboration enables good Fig 4. Pre-cleaned silicon grains from end-of-life silicon photovoltaic waste, produced by LOSER CHEMIE. synergies, with regard to the added value from the recycling of silicon based place in batch processes or continuously At the moment, we offer trace metal analysis photovoltaic modules. The key is an operating lines. in silicon via glow discharge mass innovative and novel recycling technology. spectrometry (GDMS), comprehensive Contrary to conventional technologies, like LOSER CHEMIE GmbH operates its own detection of all silicon dopant elements, shreddering, LOSER CHEMIE does not break analytical laboratory and is therefore capable automatic determination of conductivity the glass. When processing end-of-life PV of offering extensive analytical techniques for type in semiconductors. modules, grainy silicon is produced next to photovoltaic and non-solar purposes. For high-purity glass. This silicon can be example, LOSER CHEMIE can assist Today, recycling and material recovery are considered as a secondary raw material, if it customers by carrying out thorough incoming preferable to disposal. Currently, older PV succeeds in removing the remains of the and/or outgoing goods inspections. systems are reaching the final metallic contacts. decommissioning stage. According to the LOSER CHEMIE uses alkane sulfonic acids state of the art, the nascent PV recycling to clean the silicon grains, which in every industry usually treats PV modules in case, can extract all contacts in a very short separate batch runs, in existing general reaction time. This hydrometallurgical recycling plants for flat glass. extraction operates at room temperature and the used alkane sulfonic acid is readily Essentially, the main components: glass, biodegradable (OECD 301 A). As a result, aluminum and copper are recovered here for pure silicon - with dopants - is obtained c-Si PV modules, whereby the cumulative (see Fig. 4). recycling rate amounts to approx. 85% of the Of course, the material, as shown in Figure 3, total mass of the photovoltaic modules still contains doping elements. Finally, a (IEA-PVPS Report Number: T12-06:2016, modern etching system, LOSER CHEMIE has page 14). its own, are needed for further cleaning. This special chemical surface treatment and However, no attention is paid to the materials cleaning silicon materials across the entire from the silicon cells, which according to the photovoltaic value chain: from coarse applied technology, may also contain silver, material to fine silicon (from 50 μm!). Figure aluminum, indium, tin and the silicon. This is 5, shows the automated etching equipment the reason we entered the field of silicon that can chemically treat materials of varying recovery from end-of-life c-Si photovoltaic sizes and morphologies. The surface modules. The company feels there is cleaning or the removing of layers takes potential for this silicon to be used as secondary raw material. Fig. 5. Automated etching equipment The goal is to reuse this secondary raw material in silicon smelting processes because fine material is very well suited to filling gaps between larger pieces in the crucible. www.lc-freiberg.com 70 PES SOLAR

Greening the Solar Industry Resources Pictures: Loser Chemie GmbH, andreas160578, rawpixel under Creative Commons Licence CC0 Circular Economy Environment • Greening the Solar Industry with PV-Recycling • We have the competency and we build the plant • Universal recycling technology for thin film and Si-based End-of-Life PV • Proven history of successful waste management Loser Chemie GmbH [email protected] www.lc-freiberg.com  +49 3731 41937-44 Loser Chemie GmbH is a member of HOLDING

ASK THE EXPERTS: MONITORING Clean panels give optimum return PES was interested to find out from Donald van Velsen, Product Manager at Kipp & Zonen, about the latest developments and feedback on their DustIQ. We also wanted to learn if the recent changes, following the merger with the Meteorology division of OTT HydroMet, would make any difference to their solutions. Read on to find out what he had to say… 72 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: MONITORING Donald van Velsen PES: Hi Donald, it’s a pleasure to talk with you. As you know we have been following Kipp & Zonen for some years now and are regular participants in PES Solar/PV. As always, we have some new readers, so, could you give us a brief overview of your company to bring them up to date? Donald van Velsen: It’s good to be here. Although we are still Kipp & Zonen, the leading manufacturer of solar irradiance sensors, we are now part of the Meteorology division of OTT HydroMet. This will enable us to develop our solutions and integrate compact weather stations, from Lufft for example. Together we can offer high quality instruments to measure all weather parameters that influence the performance of a solar energy plant. PES: Is your work mainly in the solar/PV industry, in your opinion is it an expanding market or has it reached its peak? DvV: By far the biggest portion of Kipp & Zonen revenue is generated through instruments for the solar industry and this is still growing year after year. Recent reports on planned PV installations, still show growth for at least the next 5 years. The growth might be a bit slower than what we have become used to. PES: How is this impacting upon your business? DvV: Growth in PV installations means growth for Kipp & Zonen, when it comes to instruments to measure solar radiation and soiling. On every solar park it is an absolute must to measure solar irradiation, as it is the start of any Performance Ratio (PR) calculation that needs to be performed and reported. Adding soiling measurement to this, turns the unknown influence of soiling into a known value, thereby increasing the accuracy of the complex PR calculation. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 73

ASK THE EXPERTS: MONITORING PES: Please can you tell us about DustIQ than the potential extra energy revenue or Besides ongoing soiling measurement on a – what is it for, what does it do? possible savings on cleaning frequency. working PV plant, the maintenance free DustIQ is also ideal for prospecting new DvV: Using our Optical Soiling Measurement The IEC has realized this and it added soiling sites, by adding real, local soiling information (OSM) technology we have been able to build measurement to the recommendations for to the local solar irradiation information. the DustIQ soiling measurement instrument, ‘Photovoltaic system performance – which is totally maintenance free, accurate monitoring’ as described in its publication PES: Does the DustIQ have to be adapted and easy to install. This contrary to the IEC 61724-1 from 2017. according to climatic conditions or can it be existing systems with two PV panels of which used in the desert, temperate climate and one has to be kept clean, as the reference Using the DustIQ, parties involved in PV park rain forests alike? panel. Cleaning involves either personnel and maintenance and ownership, can benefit from water or robots, adding to the running cost of knowing the actual transmission losses. An DvV: The DustIQ is meant for dusty areas the system. O&M company can prove that the cleaning and is installed mainly in arid and semi-arid regime is adequate and meets the set SLA’s. areas. All components have been selected to The DustIQ OSM measures light that is An office-based asset manager can check the be fully temperature and UV radiation reflected back into the sensor and translates transmission loss from a remote location and resilient. Our DustIQ measurements have that to transmission loss equal to that of a verify that the local operation is meeting the confirmed that in areas with substantial rain real PV panel built with silicon cells. The agreements and achieving optimum efficiency. and where the dust build-up is very low there transmission loss is a direct measure for the is no real need for a DustIQ. percentage of solar energy lost due to soiling on the panels. Exceptions to this are places where manmade dust can be expected. Like near PES: Why is it so important to keep the solar factories that produce dust or green waste panels as clean as possible? processing plants. DvV: The decision ‘to clean or not to clean’ is PES: Is this equipment easy to use, do you based on the potential extra energy revenue supply and fit and is special training as a result of cleaning and the cost of required by the purchaser? cleaning. In order to decide one needs to know the transmission loss to be able to DvV: As with any serious instrument the calculate the increase in output. Based on installation has to be planned and performed the DustIQ, which can measure 24hr a day, by knowledgeable personnel. The installation one knows the actual transmission loss and could be as easy as turning 4 screws and can decide. Or one can draw a transmission plugging in a cable. It all depends on the loss trendline and plan potential future structure available on-site, to install the cleaning needs. DustIQ on. The data is wire fed to the customer’s data logger or junction box, using PES: We would like to know about the industry standard RS-485 and Modbus RTU. benefits to the end customer, in terms of There is no training requirement as there is cost savings and life of the panels, taking no maintenance or local user interaction. in to account the cost of the initial purchase price. PES: Why should prospective clients choose your solutions, what makes Kipp & Zonen DvV: The upfront investment of around stand out from the competition, what are 5,000€ for the instrument, installation and the benefits to the end user? commissioning is a few magnitudes lower 74 PES SOLAR

for soiling monitoring simple | affordable | maintenance free No moving parts Easy system integration 24/7 measurement More measurement points for the same budget www.kippzonen.com/DustIQ

ASK THE EXPERTS: MONITORING DvV: The DustIQ is maintenance free and easy to install on several places, in between the real PV panels. The places where the measurements should be done contrary to the measurements possible with existing, larger and more expensive two panel systems that are installed centrally and due to the higher price often only once. PES: Kipp & Zonen, of course, is a global player, are there any particular geographical areas where you are looking to drive further growth? DvV: We see growth almost everywhere and lately South America jumped on the bandwagon too. PES: Moving into the second quarter of 2019, what are your predictions for the solar/PV industry in general and your company in particular this year? DvV: I think it would be over the top to say anything about the industry as a whole. We see considerable standardisation of meteorological stations on PV plants and we see the DustIQ becoming a solid part of the standard in many areas. www.otthydromet.com 76 PES SOLAR



ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS 100% renewable energy is possible today Andrea Schartner, Head of Communications at Fronius International Business Unit Solar Energy, gives PES an update on the progress of their 24 hours of sun vision. Smart solutions such as continuously adjustable regulation and their award winning Ohmpilot are edging them nearer to this goal. PES: Hi Andrea, it’s a pleasure to welcome interfaces, the integration of heat and service philosophy of Fronius System you to PES. It’s a while since we had a mobility and the control of energy flows. Partners is unrivalled anywhere around the contributor from Fronius, so to begin with world, just as it always has been. could you give us a company update? Wherever service and expertise are called for we are really well positioned with our network PES: Please can you tell us what is meant by Andrea Schartner: We have a very strong of partners. We are extremely proud of our energy sector integration? product and systems portfolio in both the Fronius System Partners. Our relationship residential and commercial sectors. Our main with the installers has always been of the AS: The energy revolution means one thing strength is in roof-top installations. We utmost importance to us, since they form the above all: replacing coal, oil and gas with specialise in self-consumption systems crucial foundation stone for our sales and renewable energy. However, it’s not just a including storage, energy monitoring, open service organisation. The training and question of generating electricity in a 78 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS renewable manner – although this is, of In the home sector, the required storage solutions to suit every need. course, an important element. At the same technologies are already available, Regardless of the living situation or time, all fossil fuels that are currently used in affordable and, often, also make a lot of preferences of the customer, Fronius can be mobility, industry and private homes need to sense from an economic perspective. There relied upon to deliver the ideal solution – be replaced by electricity, which, in turn, also are even more appealing opportunities in from laying the foundations for a future needs to be generated by renewable means. heat generation. Here, the Fronius storage solution to installing a fully This linking of our energy systems, known as Ohmpilot, for example, enables excess integrated Fronius system: the Fronius integrated energy, is the key to making energy from PV systems to be used to Energy Package. Fronius’ 24 hours of sun vision a reality. produce warm water, or operate a heating panel for other ohmic consumers. After just For installers, this means a whole host of Replacing fossil fuels with renewable three to four years the investments often exciting potential applications in new alternatives requires huge change. There is pay for themselves and can help prolong the business areas. In order to make use of these, set to be enormous demand for renewable service life of the heating system. however, it is necessary to embrace new electricity, and we can expect there to be technologies and to think beyond the massive expansion in the renewable energy Even electro mobility powered by solar boundaries of the industry. sector in the coming decades, particularly for energy is available today: the compatibility of wind and solar energy. At the same time, a Fronius energy solution with different Manufacturers, like Fronius, are helping to switch in energy usage towards the e-mobility products are proven and expand upon the know-how required, by electrification of mobility, heat generation confirmed. Together with heating and providing relevant training programs. And it and industry are also required. electro mobility, Fronius offers bespoke goes without saying that this is being done with smart solutions that optimize the use of energy in private homes and provide a genuine and clearly perceptible added value for end customers, take your solar game to the next level. PES: We know that the Fronius Ohmpilot is a consumption regulator designed to use excess solar power to heat water. Are you able to explain how this works? AS: Well, thanks to the continuously adjustable regulation from 0 to 9 kW, surplus PV current can be put to highly efficient use and fed to the consumers in the household. The Fronius Ohmpilot is primarily used to intelligently control heating elements for providing hot water in boilers and buffer storage tanks, but can also be used for infrared heating or towel radiators. Solar power can thus provide a family home, with average levels of water consumption, with most of their hot water during spring and summer. The result is maximum self-consumption, a reduction in the household’s CO2 emissions and less wear on the building’s main heating system during the summer months. Recently Fronius Ohmpilot won a prize for its outstanding design. ‘The Fronius Ohmpilot is not only a practical helper in the efficient use of solar energy – and thus an important building block for the vision of 24 hours of sun – but it is also a real design wonder,’ explained Martin Hackl, the head of solar energy at Fronius International GmbH. The German Design Award 2019 jury agreed. Good design is not just about looking good. Good design is the translation of complex technical functions into easy-to-use and easy-to-understand forms that are fit for the intended purpose. This is exactly what the Fronius design team, led by product designer Martin Frittajon, achieved with the Ohmpilot, which is why it received a ‘special mention’ in the Energy category at the German Design Award 2019. Martin Frittajon remarked at the time, ‘The German Design Award is one of the most WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 79

ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS renowned and internationally recognised 100% of the world’s energy needs are AS: Anyone investing in a PV system wants to awards for product design. The ‘special covered by renewable sources, into a reality. make the best possible use of their self- mention’ for the Ohmpilot serves as We are therefore concentrating on solutions generated solar energy, save on energy costs confirmation that we are on the right track to intelligently, efficiently and economically and maximise self-consumption. The key to with our design philosophy, which is generate, store, distribute and consume this is effective system monitoring, to ensure particularly pleasing. The simple, timeless solar energy. that the PV system is optimised to meet the design with the all-round bevel, typical of our user’s requirements. This is where the Fronius products, communicates stability and PES: Are you able to tell us anything about Smart Meter comes into play by providing longevity and underlines the high quality of the your recent partnership with BYD? valuable data, about PV production and power technology on the inside. The straightforward consumption in the home or workplace. installation process with sufficient space for AS: The Fronius Symo Hybrid is now fully cabling and the simple, intuitive operation compatible with energy storage systems There are a lot of important reasons to invest round off the overall concept.’ from the high-tech Chinese company BYD in in a Fronius Smart Meter. These are the most Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Australia. important: In 2017 Fronius received the MTP Gold Medal Fronius is the only provider able to supply Award at the Polish GreenPower trade fair for 3-phase consumers, in emergency power • With a Fronius Smart Meter, system owners the Fronius Ohmpilot. The prize is awarded situations, using the BYD Battery-Box HV. know how much power they generate and for outstanding innovation and highlights the consume. pioneering role of Fronius in the development It is not just newly purchased Fronius Symo of solar technology. Hybrid devices that are compatible with the • T he Fronius Smart Meter is the basis for BYD storage systems. A software update intelligent energy flow management. PES: Why should prospective clients choose can be used to bring Fronius Symo Hybrid your solutions, what makes Fronius stand battery inverters, which are currently being • The data provided by the Fronius Smart out from the competition? held in stock, or that have already been Meter gives you valuable knowledge about installed, up to date and enable compatibility your energy requirements. This can be used AS: We are not only the company which with the BYD Battery-Box HV. The remote as a basis to optimise, enlarge or upgrade provides the best service on the market, we update function is particularly convenient, the PV system, for example by adding a not only provide support for customers as it means that you do not need to travel to Fronius Ohmpilot or a battery. undertaking their personal energy revolution, the place of installation. Simply update the not just through products and services, but software already installed, from the comfort • D ue to Energy Profiling you are able to also through a comprehensive training of your desk. Aside from the Fronius Smart integrate the data from external generators. programme and helping Fronius Service Meter, no other external hardware This enables holistic measures to be taken Partners to become Fronius System Partners. components are required. towards the optimum use of energy. We provide a vision. We call this vision 24 PES: What about smart meters, how • It allows dynamic feed-in management with hours of sun. Day after day we are hard at important a role will smart meters play in user-defined feed-in limits. work turning this vision of a future, in which the coming years? • Due to effective system monitoring, the 80 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: MANUFACTURERS cause of an error can quickly and easily this area. We will continue to provide our forward the use of renewable energies and be found. customers with all-inclusive system the associated decarbonisation of our energy solutions that enable them to gain the system. Our research and development The benefits are impressive, regardless of maximum possible benefit from the energy department is working on extremely efficient whether you are a system owner or an they generate for themselves. electrolysis and fuel cell technologies. installer. All in all, with the Fronius Smart Meter, you have 100% control over electricity Green hydrogen: hydrogen technology also In 2019 we will complete our range of consumption and lay the foundation for plays a key role in making the vision of 24 storage options for residential and ongoing optimisation of your energy usage. hours of sun a reality. This technology makes commercial properties. it possible to further integrate the electricity, PES: Now we are moving in to the second heat and mobility sectors and thus drive www.fronius.com/en/photovoltaics quarter of the 2019, what is your outlook for solar/PV for the rest of the year? AS: For 2019 we are anticipating healthy, double-digit growth. Fronius sees the greatest potential in the self-consumption markets, in the residential and commercial sectors, primarily in roof-top installations. Energy sector integration is clearly gaining momentum. We are also capitalising on our export markets for rural electrification, where we supply ingenious solutions for microgrids and PV-Genset systems. We can make the most of our strengths in situations where there is a demand for such technology. Energy sector integration: we consider the intelligent integration and control of the electricity, mobility and heat energy sectors, together with harnessing the corresponding synergies, to be the basis for the next big leap towards 100% renewables. This is why we are devoting so much effort to WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 81

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THINK TANK The new challenges of the ultralight bifacial modules New developments of transparent plastic In fact, by making use of both surfaces of the materials in frontsheets and backsheets as valid cells, almost twice as much can be produced alternatives to glass. for the same cost. One thing is certain: the photovoltaic bifacial cell allows more clean The strong development of new types of encouraged many manufacturers of plastic energy to be produced, lowering the cost of cells and modules, like bifacial ones, has on films to develop new products that are able the kW produced. the one hand been accompanied by to compete with glass, providing a number of glass-glass solutions and on the other has advantages. To be competitive with the glass-glass solutions, the polymer based transparent laminates have been developed to avoid any problems with the structures of the glass/ glass modules, such as premature fractures 84 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK 1500 CELL SIDE VDC AIR SIDE PRIMER Transparent PET Transparent PET, Hydrolysis Resistant (HR) Electrical Grade PET Transparent PET, UV Stable Hydrolysis Resistant PROTECTIVE COATING OR TRANSPARENT TEDLAR® UV Resistant duration including cells breakage, reduced Description of the innovation, principal to the special diffusive coating which thermal conductivity, high logistics, advantages and characteristics enables the light to be caught and diffused transport and installation costs, as well as on the cells even at low angles of radiation, improving resistance to physical phenomena Coveme has recently developed two totally at sunrise and sunset like hail, sand and UV rays. transparent polyester based materials as a valid alternative to glass, that act as back Main features of the backsheet for So described below are the innovative new support (dyMat® Clear BACK) and front 1500VDC solutions designed and implemented by support (dyMat® Clear FRONT) in the new Coveme, to make plastic films the best solution generation PV modules, such as the bifacial, • TLT > 89% for protecting not just the back part light and semi-flexible examples. (backsheet), but also the front part (frontsheet) • Abrasion Taber test > 200 cycles of the new generation panels. These flexible The final applications, grid and off-grid, are ultralight can be installed on roofs with limited utility, rooftop and BIPV, as well as • Resistance to UV > 150kWh load capacity, or used for new integrated commercial and special applications solutions (BIPV) and those compatible with thin including automotive and nautical. • DHT > 2500hrs film technologies (CIGS, OPV). The use of the new dyMat® clear as a • WVTR < 1.9 More detailed information will also be provided transparent backsheet in the bifacial modules, on the development of the new coatings to as already mentioned above, provides a The use of dyMat® Clear as the frontsheet on improve resistance to abrasion and scratching, number of advantages listed below: the light modules, as an alternative to glass, with a discussion on test procedures and the gives the following advantages: standards needed to ensure the guaranteed • Notable reduction in the weight of the performance is achieved. module compared with the glass/glass • T his new transparent frontsheet consists of configuration, with a consequent reduction the revolutionary opaque coating, which is in transport and installation costs highly transparent and resistant to UV rays, with exceptional anti-scratch and anti- • I mproved productivity of the module itself reflection characteristics for the same cost, and less fractures of the cells during the production of the module • Its special anti-abrasive coating avoids the degradation of the polymer that would • E xceptional thermal conductivity reducing otherwise become opaque over time the operating temperature of the NOCT reducing the performance of the module module Main features of the frontsheet for • Reduced weight, especially in the 1500 VDC 1000VDC configuration, and the use of the standard ALU frame which both reduce the cost of • TLT > 89% the BOS for the assembly system whether fixed or not • PET produced for resistance to UV • Increase in the production of energy thanks • T exturised version – for anti-reflection and high efficiency for low angles of radiation • Hard-coat and scratch resistance WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 85

THINK TANK Technical details 1000 AIR SIDE VDC CELL SIDE Coveme has developed a new type of innovative coating that protects the polymer ULTRA PROTECTIVE films from UV rays and abrasion. This COATING technology enables the coating itself to act UV PET as an anti-reflective surface and to increase the amount of light that reaches the cells Transparent PET, with low angles of incidence. UV Stable These new materials have been tested and PRIMER validated internally using international standards. The tests include tests on Transparent resistance to abrasion and resistance to scratching to guarantee long life. The anti-dazzle surface of the new frontsheet has shown an increase in power of about 10% in field trials with an angle of inclination of 10-15°, with respect to the standard backsheet. In support of this the tests conducted on the dyMat® clear products are described below. Abrasion Resistance Tests (comparison with competitors) COVEME CLR T0 H COMPETITOR 3 – T0 H UV-matt 100 cycles 85 KPF matt 100 cycles 45,2 86 54,1 ∆H 1 ∆H 9 H H 45,8 COMPETITOR 2 – T0 28,6 COMPETITOR 1 – T0 49,5 TPT matt 100 cycles 33,5 TFB matt 100 cycles ∆H 4,9 ∆H 3,7 Figure 1 Values of loss of haze after 100 cycles- dyMat clear FS 1000VDC- comparison between samples subjected to the Taber test Taber test version: 5 min-1). The test instrument is The resistance of the sample to this connected to a load arm, with an adjustable treatment is assessed visually using the This test, conducted according to the ASTM weight that enables the pressure of the tool zero trace. D4060 standard, enables a number of types on the sample, to be set (load range from of surface to be tested assessing the Coveme’s sample has a scratch resistance abrasion resistance of a large number of 0 to 10 N with increments of 0.1 N and load that is ten times greater than that of the types of materials and coatings. range from 0 to 1 N with increments of 0.01 N). competitor. The abrasive action is obtained by rotating Scratch Resistance Tests The results of the test, shown in the table in the test sample, cut in the shape of a disc, (comparison with competitors) Figure 2, again confirm the excellent while two abrasive wheels turn above it. The anti-abrasion and anti-scratch properties of Coveme dyMat® clear backsheet compared COMPETITOR 1 matt Scratch the coating in the case of the FS, and it’s the with a competitor’s shows loss of COMPETITOR 2 matt Hardness Test same in the texturised version. transparency of only 0.5 after 100 cycles. COMPETITOR 2 matt COVEME CLR UV matt < 0,5 N Field test Erichsen 413 scratch hardness test < 0,5 N PV bifacial modules using transparent The Erichsen 413 is a scratch hardness tester. backsheet and installed in the field for more < 0,3 N than 3 years show no yellowing, cracking, It is a motorised test instrument used to chalking or bubbling. measure the resistance to scratches and < 3,2 N cuts on plastic or painted surfaces. Panels of All the above tests results show why different thicknesses are tested by making Figure 2 Erichsen 413 scratch resistance values for dyMat® clear products are durable and the single, parallel and transverse cuts. the frontsheet samples of the competitor vs Coveme ones to use. dyMat FS 1000VDC The sample has to be mounted on a rotating www.coveme.com table (number of turns in the standard 86 PES SOLAR

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CORPORATE FOCUS A mobile concept We all know how important, yet difficult it can be high efficiency devices. to keep solar panels clean. Various improvements have been made over the years and now The systems can, for example, be PV Cleaning has made a significant improvement hydraulically operated from a standard with a new mobile brush concept. PES brings you tractor, digger, or telescopic loader. their range of easily adaptable solutions. Conversions or structural modifications of the carrier vehicle are not necessary. The Heavy dirt build-up on photovoltaic cells This solar cleaning system, with its mobile broom is able to adjust to meet any of the can reduce the yield significantly. SunBrush cleaning brushes, can use lime-free rainwater topographic and technical challenges arising mobile was developed to remove dirt, bird or tap water treated with SunBrush blue in any solar parks. droppings, and dust from roof and open- additive or, in desert regions, no water at all. field installations. Even snow and ice pose no problems to these After an initial one-time calibration, the actual cleaning process is controlled from a joystick. The surface pressure setting on the module is fully automated. SunBrush Mobil is a flexible system solution, comprised of hydraulically propelled cleaning brushes of varying lengths and a water tank, with a pump. This can be mounted on the back of a utility vehicle for wet cleaning projects. 88 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS The cleaning brushes are mounted in a boom a consequence, the cleaning solution SunBrush Mobil GmbH. system and are made from a UV-resistant requires less maintenance. plastic (Polyethylene), which was specifically ‘We developed the product technology and developed for cleaning glass. This Additionally, the manufacturer has refined the are now leaders in this area. We offer a guarantees a long lifespan whilst, at the same design of the hydraulic steering to make the Made-in-Germany level of quality and time, preventing damage to the solar operation easier and more precise. The engineering performance. Our machines modules. Renowned solar-module machine is also more compact, with a reduced have proved successful in desert regions manufacturers have certified the entire width and height that gives the operator an such as: The Middle East, North Africa, North range of SBM brushes, therefore they are optimal field of vision over the module to be and South America, Asia, Europe and in many suitable for professional applications cleaned. The SunBrush mobile ‘compact’ has other regions worldwide. The cleaning the patented Washtronic, which holds the solutions from SunBrush Mobile have proven Product Range brush pressure at the desired setting. themselves even under the harshest conditions. This is the kind of reliability that SunBrush Mobil ‘Compact’: enclosed ‘With our optimized steering, we can clean customers all over the world can build on.’ gearbox and optimized hydraulic steering. even on uneven ground. The improved protection of the components has, of course, SunBrush mobil ‘Rapid’: the ideal solution The SunBrush, proven and tested over many a positive effect on the lifespan of the for cleaning rows of closely positioned solar years, has been further improved in the SBM. machine, even as it operates under hard modules. The new model has a closed construction and environmental conditions,’ explains Franz a protected machine head, thus ensuring Ehleuter, the founder and manager of Due to its small size, the ‘rapid’ cleaning protection from sand, dust, and moisture. As system can be deployed in PV parks with WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 89

CORPORATE FOCUS Washtronic level and pressure control Previously the data relating to a solar power specific modules. It is designed to fit to the plant would have been transferred manually, end of the cleaning brushes, the main narrow lanes. It can also be used in standard now it can be seen live on a tablet. This product of the company. Varied recording PV parks, as well as those with tracker allows power-plant operators to identify intervals make it possible for users to systems, which makes the system defective cells, cell connectors and string customize the cleaning speed, to meet the extremely flexible. diodes at any place. modules’ testing requirements. The operator of a mini excavator can use the The thermal imaging camera comes with All of the collected data can be saved or SunBrush mobile rapid to clean solar panel GPS, allowing users to track precisely transferred directly in the SBM Cloud for tables of up to four meters in height without intelligent evaluation, via image-processing having to make an empty trip. This is because algorithms. In this way, the computer takes the system can be rotated 180 degrees to on the search for hot spots and string clean the neighboring tables, on the return defects, as well as other types of module trip. Solar tracker systems mounted on deficiencies. The findings are then collated crossbars can also be easily cleaned, of in a report. course, this also includes the Washtronic. Operators of large solar parks can especially The rapid is easy to transport and can be benefit from this function because all the loaded onto a standard trailer along with data are merged via the Cloud. This allows the mini excavator. The water tank can be the algorithms to detect changes in the hung onto the dozer blade and thereby power station efficiency, drawing attention carried along. to newly occurred damage or defects. Diagnostic 4.0: PV diagnostic technology Save service costs through the ‘two in one’ principle. The SBM Diagnostic solution has been on the market for almost two years. It enables the ‘Combining thermal imaging technology with functional efficiency of solar modules to be cleaning of modules merges two operations thermographically checked by means of a into one, thereby significantly reducing thermal imaging camera that can be service costs,’ adds Franz Ehleuter, CEO at subsequently fitted to the company’s SunBrush mobil GmbH. ‘The integrated cloud cleaning brushes. SunBrush mobil GmbH has service provides complete functional expanded the combination of cleaning and function control, with its new service app, to include real-time capabilities. 90 PES SOLAR



CORPORATE FOCUS About SunBrush mobil GmbH transparency for solar parks and saves time Dr. Gerd Heilscher. SunBrush mobil has had in the evaluation of damage profiles. The close research cooperation with the institute SunBrush mobil GmbH develops, precision analysis is also helpful for carrying over many years. produces and sells cleaning brushes for out targeted repairs.’ photovoltaic installations and the facades All components and manufacturing processes of buildings. The company was founded in Regular monitoring offers a valuable relating to SBM products are the result of 2009, by Managing Director Franz Ehleuter contribution to the comprehensive technical collaborations and long-term partnerships in Lachen, Germany. It utilizes its documentation of solar power plants, thereby with other engineering firms from the Allgäu engineering expertise in the in-house supporting the assertion of guarantees, region, in Germany. The company holds development of its cleaning systems. warranties and damage claims, with module German and European patents for all SBM manufacturers and insurance companies. products. Renowned solar module In addition, the company operates its manufacturers have certified the entire range own test center. This innovative design The app was created in collaboration with the of SBM brushes, thereby authorizing their use organization supplies customers across Institute for Energy and Drive Technology at in professional applications. the globe. the Technical University of Ulm, led by Prof. SunBrush mobil maintains research cooperation with the Institute for Energy and Drive Technology at the university of applied sciences in Ulm. All SunBrush products are covered by German and European patents. Renowned Solar module manufacturers have authorized the use of SunBrush brushes on their products. For more information: www.SunBrushmobil.info Contact SunBrush mobil GmbH Hauptstraße 24 87760 Lachen - Germany phone +49 8332 24343-0 e-mail: [email protected] www.SunBrushmobil.info 92 PES SOLAR

Intersolar Europe Hall C1, Booth 410 May 15 – 17 SNEC, Shanghai Hall N3, Booth 510 June 4 – 6 Ideal PERx platform, future ready for higher efficiency Meyer Burger is the leader for passivated layer deposition tools for mass adoption of PERx technologies with its dominant 140GW installed equipment base worldwide. FABiA® is the only equipment available today combining all PERx deposition steps in a single tool. With its 6,350 wph throughput and smallest footprint the FABiA® delivers lowest CAPEX. Its integrated process design makes it ideal for upgrading to passivated contacts (TOPCon) technology with >23% cell efficiency. Meyer Burger delivers the FABiA® 6.1 power of passivation. 3 in1 deposition system meyerburger.com

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS A small component of paramount importance Matthias Mack, Director Global Alternative Energies and member of the Management Board at Stäubli, came to talk to PES about electrical connectors. These small components play a crucial role in a long-term partnership between our company and the customer. This is built on reliability, thoughtful expertise, dynamism and exceptional quality, in both products and services. Matthias Mack 94 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS PES: Welcome back, it’s good to talk to you connector (MC3) was introduced by Stäubli in addressing the importance of the quality again. As we have some new readers, who 1996 followed by the original MC4 in 2002, aspect related to PV connectors. What is don’t know as much as we do about Stäubli, has set the industry standard ever since. We the reason behind this? could you give us a brief overview of your never compromise when it comes to quality, company to bring them up to date? long-term reliability or our partners’ success. MM: Given the current cost pressure climate, with developers and IPPs increasingly Matthias Mack: Stäubli Electrical Today, we have more than 240 GW of installed quoting aggressively low prices, in order to Connectors, formerly Multi-Contact, is part photovoltaic capacity, amounting to nearly squeeze profitability, the need for cost of the Swiss family-owned Stäubli Group, 50% of the global cumulative PV capacity. This reduction strategies in the solar industry has founded in 1892. We are a global figure demonstrates the reliability, highest been put forth. This is particularly the case mechatronics solution provider with three quality, and market acceptance of our across growing solar regions such as India, dedicated activities: connectors, both fluid products. They guarantee proper operation Latin America and MENA. and electrical, robotics and textile, over their whole lifetime which can easily exceed 25 years, defy harsh environmental The question that now comes up: isn’t there We have over 56 years of practical experience influences and have a positive impact on the a mismatch between what solar owners and in producing reliable electrical connectors for bankability of photovoltaic projects. investors want, and what diligent EPCs can different industries. We have been the realistically deliver? How to maintain quality, pioneer and market leader for electrical PES: We note that you have increased your profitability and reliability in the grip of such connectors in photovoltaics for more than 25 activities in conferences, panel financial squeeze? We have to be really years. The first industrial photovoltaic discussions and other platforms cautious, the run for even lower prices can be dangerous; you get what you pay for and you have to be competitive without compromising quality. Obviously, this trend effects the electrical balance of system components including connectors too. But results of different third-party studies, as well as our own experiences, prove that in existing PV systems huge numbers of cabling/ connectors issues due to poor quality have been found. These have a major negative influence on the efficiency, the return on investment and the LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) of the PV asset. According to their ‘Cost Priority Number’, as part of a cost-based failure mode and effects analysis of the top 20 technical failures in PV systems, cables and connectors can have a huge financial impact as failures may entail severe loss. We observe that the industry still faces a huge lack of knowledge on cabling and connectors, not only about the products, but also in respect of the correct handling and its relevance for financial success of a PV asset. We are frequently confronted with statements such as: connector, what’s that. nothing’s happened so far, no problems with connectors, compatibility for different connectors or having certificate and data sheet is enough. Today, especially in unsubsidized markets, project owners have to pay more and more attention to the quality of components. Mostly though, they focus on modules and inverters – which obviously represent the largest part of the CAPEX – whereas other components are often neglected. Project owners typically leave this to the respective EPC. Most of the time, depending on the business model of the EPC, they will go for the cheapest investment solution. We see there is still a lack of knowledge, especially among investors and project owners, sometimes they underestimate or do not focus on these small components. They don’t see the decisive character of the WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 95

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS Top 20 technical failures Knowledge is paramount! INV ERROR MESSAGE € 0.17 PES: So, what is important when selecting MOD the right PV connector for an application? CONN/DIST BOX POTENTIAL INDUCED DEGRADATION € 0.21 MOD MM: The worldwide acceptance of PV is also STRU CT MAIN SWITCH OPEN & DOES NOT RECLOSE AUTOMATICALLY € 0.22 based on the industry’s reliable and safe way MOD of generating electric power. PV connectors CAB GLASS BREAKAGE € 0.27 play a key role in a long-term durable and MOD reliable protection against hazards such as INV TRACKER FAILURE € 0.31 electric shock, personal injury or fire hazards. TX/MV/HV INV BROKEN MODULE € 0.34 Simply put, for a connection you need a plug MOD and a socket cable coupler. Each of them CAB WRONG/ABSENT CABLES € 0.36 consists of a contact part made from metal CAB and an insulating part made from plastic to TX/MV/HV IMPROPER INSTALLATION € 0.45 protect the connection. MOD INV BURNT SUPPLY CABLE OR SOCKET € 0.60 Connectors are used in large numbers: for INV instance, in a 100 MW solar park, around CAB BROKEN TRANSFORMER € 0.66 700.000 connectors are installed. The key to CAB efficient operation and energy feed-in is a INVERTER NOT OPERATING/FAILURE AFTER GRID FAULT € 0.67 constantly low contact resistance. Vice versa, an increasing contact resistance inside SHADING € 0.68 the connectors will induce higher temperatures and power loss, which will have DAMAGED CABLE € 0.69 negative impact on the contact resistance again, thus creating a spiral resulting in a high IMPROPER INSTALLATION € 0.69 risk of connector failure. IMPROPER/INADEQUATE INSTALLATION € 0.71 Thus, the consequences caused by these failures lead to power loss due to downtimes, SOILING € 0.95 expenditure on service hours and costs for spare parts. And, in a worst-case scenario, FAN FAILURE & OVERHEATING € 1.17 reconstruction measures due to hotspots or a fire. At the end of the day: higher operation/ WRONG INSTALLATION € 1.35 maintenance costs and lower energy yield respectively lower revenue. BROKEN/BURNT CONNECTORS € 2.67 The financial impact is of course depending WRONG/ABSENT CABLE CONNECTION € 3.93 on a lot of different factors: how many connectors are affected, where in the – € € 1.0 € 2.0 € 3.0 € 4.0 € 5.0 system? Is only a module, an entire string or €/kWp/year loss due to the failure the whole PV-plant disconnected? What monitoring system does the owner run and Fig 1: Calculation of the economic impact: Solar Bankability is a project funded by the European Commission’s how long would it take to react? Remember: Horizon 2020 program: www.solarbankability.org. the key to efficient operation is consistently low contact resistance. latter reflecting at best 0.003 % of the total overall lower LCOE. initial investment cost. Frankly speaking, it’s Therefore, the key words in respect of just not on their radar. So, during the planning phase a careful product selection is their durability and selection is the key. This should exceed the reliability throughout the entire lifetime: 25 The connector is a small part, both in its mere checking of the data sheet and the years plus. Hence, long-term material physical footprint and in terms of its impact certificates of bankable products and stability used in its production has to be on the total system cost. But if you consider components. When it comes to choosing granted. Many connectors look similar, and that you are investing a lot of money, and you connectors, it is necessary to be thorough customers often want to know how to pay a lot of attention to selecting the right and also check audit critical parameters: this classify a durable and reliable connector. modules, the right system design, etc., then may start with a checklist including a data Here it is necessary to take a close look at the you also want that the energy you are sheet, a track record of the products and insulator: carefully selected material ensures producing is not only transmitted efficiently, questions in respect of their quality system. protection from environmental influences, but also in a safe and reliable way. And what guarantees highest operator safety through part is of crucial importance when it comes Additionally, it’s a good idea to see some test e.g. touch protection and features the to the safe transmission of electric power? It samples as well as test protocols. But the necessary performance in respect of is the connector. product selection should not be limited to mechanical strength. the product itself. For example, is the So, coming back to your question: we supplier is a bankable partner? Do they offer PES: This means the choice of high-quality increased our participation in events, with local support? Do they use a sustainable insulator material and its durable and the aim of creating more awareness about business model, ensuring they will be around reliable design are crucial. And what about these points, within the PV industry. if needed 10 years from now? the metal parts, the ones transmitting the electric power within the DC PV system? PES: What advice would you give to PV I cannot emphasize enough how important it project owners? is to select a bankable partner, with a quality MM: Obviously, material choice and its approach and educated technical staff. design are also crucial with regard to the MM: As so often in life, good planning pays metal parts. When looking at the MC4 off. A core pillar of cost reduction and Finally, it is also about the correct handling securing the asset is a solid planning. Laying and installation of the connectors. There are the foundations at the very early stages of a several international and often local project will avert any avoidable costs in the regulations, as well as assembly instructions future, protect the investment, and ensure to consider when installing in order to avoid longevity and reliability of the project with an e.g. cross-connection of PV connectors. 96 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS: COMPONENTS product family, the patented, unique and In case of cross-connections, the safety and For this reason, Stäubli does not only stress innovative MULTILAM concept, guarantees reliability of the PV system will decrease and the bankability of its products. We also the lowest considerable and long-time stable serious negative effects, such as performance enforce our efforts to ensure the correct contact resistance. loss, maintenance costs, arcing or fire due to assembly and application. Only if trained and connector failures are to be expected. qualified staff handle the connectors This low contact resistance is essential when according to the rules, is it possible to comparing products. Stäubli’s precision and In the event of damage, product liability minimize the related risks and maximize the know-how in manufacturing the electrical between the two manufacturers cannot be efficiency and respectively profitability of a products, is proven by its track record of over allocated: is it connector manufacturer A’s PV asset. 240GW connected worldwide and experience responsibility or connector manufacturer of producing contact technology for electric B’s fault that the PV plant is on fire? As a PES: Moving into the second quarter of power transmission. result, legal disputes due to undefined 2019, what are your predictions for the liabilities take place, with undesirable solar/PV industry in general and your PES: You mentioned a low and long-time effects on all stakeholders of the PV asset. company in particular this year? stable contact resistance being important. The economic and legal implications linked Can you please elaborate? to such a case are unpredictable and are MM: The industry will continue to develop unlikely of little importance. positively based on its growth and MM: As mentioned, the primary task of the photovoltaics will become an increasingly connector is to transmit the electric power As a consequence, Stäubli has not recognized important part of everyday life. Whether generated by the PV modules in a safe and any products from third-party suppliers as through integration in buildings, large reliable manner with smallest power loss being compatible with the MC4 family and centralized and decentralized PV power possible. Electric power is lost through does not intend to do so in the future. This stations, or amalgamation with storage resistance – in fact, it is not lost but position is backed up by the today’s solutions. Photovoltaics offer smart transformed into heat. international PV regulations. The IEC renewable energy. standards explicitly state that ‘male and Therefore, it is not very useful to compare female connectors mated together shall be of PV is today a fixed component of primary initial values of contact resistance from energy production and will soon establish an Fig 2: Original MC4 PV connector; 240 GW PV capacity rely on more than 1.6 billion connectors. different connector suppliers, but to the same type from the same manufacturer’. even clearer role worldwide as a technology re-evaluate these characteristics, taking of the future. Global big players will advance into account the weathering effects over The same key message can be found in the into the industry and high-quality the products’ life time. In really bad corresponding UL-standards. Therefore, components will win over markets driven by connections, with high contact resistance, Stäubli MC4 products, used with third party ROI and bankability. the generated heat can lead to fire and connectors, lose all relevant IEC and UL other dangerous hazards. certification in their end-use application. In the short term, we expect to see around Further statements made by TÜV and UL 120GW of new PV capacity and more than 17 Compatibility is as crucial as dimensions, additionally underline this fact. markets exceeding 1GW of installation this contact pressure and surface, chemical year. European PV markets will increase again compatibility, etc. need to conform. PES: We hear that Stäubli has identified and China will continue to drive global market Compatibility can only be guaranteed if both correct installation and crimping as a third dynamics. But the secondary market is the connector socket and the connector plug source of risk. Please can you tell us more growing as well, so there is a lot of potential in are delivered from the same supplier! about this? mature markets for revamping and repowering. Our Q1 sales figures and PES: So, is not having different products MM: Of course, another success factor is the customer requests clearly affirm this from different manufacturers stipulated in correct assembly of the connector, in increased market demand. Our main drivers the regulations? particular the crimping. High-quality are the Chinese module and inverter maker, crimping is crucial to achieve a good, but project developers in Europe, the MM: Our customers deserve and need the solderless electrical connection. Americas and MENA are also of influence. highest product and system quality available. That is our primary aim. For this reason, Thus, the appropriate assembly tools, like When it comes to aggressive competition Stäubli cannot confirm the compatibility of crimping pliers must be used. The latter even especially on the inverter market, the its own PV connectors, with the one from a represent a part of the connectors IEC question is will we see a consolidation wave in different manufacturer. qualification. Important parameters are: the industry again later this year. We are height of the crimp, tensile strength and focusing our activities on quality and It is quite simple; different manufacturers contact resistance. False crimping and too education, but as storage and digitalization apply different technologies, raw material, low crimping force, lead to non-conformity become more and more relevant, we will be metal dimensions and insulating parts, to the norms, unstable contact resistance, working on connection solutions for this kind different production processes… just to and a gas tightness failure that bears the risk of application too. mention a few. Consequently, compliance of corrosion. Hence, there is a high risk of with the electrical, mechanical and climatic connector failures, leading to performance www.staubli.com requirements cannot be guaranteed. losses and higher maintenance costs. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 97

THINK TANK Fig.1 cetisPV-Moduletest3 measurement system with thermal testing chamber New metrics in highly accurate power measurements - from standard test conditions to energy rating Standardization efforts by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for measuring PV devices have played a key role in the widespread application of this technology. With the maturing and diversification of the PV industry new standards, which define power measurements beyond standard test conditions (STC) are becoming more relevant. 98 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK Such measurements, which are used for yield operating temperature that can be expected Equipment and exemplary data simulations of PV systems, require the in a typical installation. It serves as a primary highest accuracy, as their results directly input for the prediction of energy yield for a In the following, we demonstrate a test case impact on LCOE calculations and thus specific location and installation type. differentiating optimized operating regimes financing possibilities of PV projects. We analyze requirements for such accurate Module Irradiance [W/m2] measurements and present equipment temp. capable of delivering the highest precision to meet these demands. [°C] 100 200 400 600 800 1000 1100 x NA One number to explain it all 15 x x x x x x x x x Standardization in form of standard test 25 x x x x x x x conditions, for power measurements has been a key component to enable the 50 NA NA x x x large-scale adaptation of photovoltaic technology. It ensures comparability 75 NA NA NA x x between different technologies, laboratories and manufacturers worldwide. Table 1 Power rating matrix from IEC 61853-1 The IEC has established a framework of Requirements for precise measurements for different module types. We perform standards dealing with many aspects of measurements using a cetisPV-Moduletest3 quality control and reliability of PV devices. It For precise determination of STC power together with the temperature testing is this framework of mutually agreed output, IEC 60904 defines conditions, chamber of the cetisPV-Therm-package-M, common standards that allows informed and procedures and requirements to the which is an ideally suited platform to collect reasonable decisions about investments and machinery in its different chapters. As for such data in a fully automated sequence. technology focus. the solar simulator, spectral match and non-uniformity are amongst the most The DUT is located in a temperature- The basis for power measurements, as one important parameters. For high-efficiency controlled test chamber and can be tempered aspect, is given in the different chapters of IEC solar cells, transient effects in from 15°C-75°C. Each temperature level is 60904, which define requirements for the test measurement of the power output curve stabilized with unprecedented temperature specimen, reference devices and under STC conditions are an additional homogeneity over the whole module area. measurement systems, as well as correction factor, which needs to be accounted for. The measurement system comprises a xenon procedures. Currently the power generation This effect is currently being included in the light source, filtered to simulate the AM1.5G of a PV device is stated on its label as measured 60904-standard series. spectrum, a highly accurate measurement under standard test conditions. This unit to trace and measure the IV corresponds to the maximum power output at In addition to the requirements for STC characteristics of the DUT and a walk-in dark 25°C, when illuminated with an AM1.5G measurements, irradiation and chamber including the temperature- spectrum of an intensity of 1000W/m². temperature of the device-under-test controlled module mounting station. (DUT) are varied in the measurements Energy rating gaining momentum defined in the energy rating matrix. These Capacitive effects of high-efficiency solar two parameters therefore bring additional modules are precisely accounted for by The beauty of the STC approach is that the requirements to the testing system in h.a.l.m.’s unique advanced hysteresis full complexity is boiled down to a single order to provide precise measurement data evaluation, which derives the steady-state number. It is intuitively clear however, that it as input for yield simulations. IV-curve from measurements performed in cannot represent the full spectrum of different sweep directions without the need operating conditions of PV devices. In fact, it Whereas the requirements induced by of adjusting any parameters. is not even a very common working point variation of the irradiance level are well since PV modules at that insolation tend to covered by the definitions for STC conditions All solar simulator manufacturers are guided operate at much higher temperatures for in the 60904 standard, temperature control by the IEC 60904-9 standard, which outlines most environment conditions. Given the and measurement present a different the requirements for spectral match and widespread application of PV technology, as parameter. In order to achieve reliable stability of the light source. This guideline is a major component of the power generation temperature coefficients and yield currently being revised, in order to account for mix in many countries and climates, as well as simulations the temperature of the sample advances in spectral sensitivity of PV devices. the increasing experience of installers and must be kept constant and homogeneous project developers, the focus is gradually during testing. Also, sun simulator requirements are shifting towards other metrics. tightened to ensure the characteristics of Most importantly, inhomogeneous sample the light source over the full measurement While the STC power output is and will be the temperatures lead directly to higher plane and over time. The xenon light source primary parameter to compare modules, associated measurement errors, as any of the cetisPV-Moduletest3 can be equipped system design and investment planning evaluation of the data accepts only one with an automated neutral density filter in require a more detailed analysis of the power temperature, as input for the test conditions the light path to ensure that the output to be expected from a system built in of the device. Achieving the highest requirements of this upcoming third edition a certain environment. This power rating temperature homogeneity, in a short period of will be met to the highest classification needs the input parameters of the modules time, on a large size solar module, is therefore (A+A+A+). used for the system, which are not covered an additional requirement for test equipment by the STC power output rating, but require used for energy rating measurements. As an example, we show measurements for measurements under different two different module technologies, an IBC measurement conditions. IEC 61835-1 defines measurements of the power rating matrix. This data matrix above, Table 1, represents the full range of operating points in terms of insolation and WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 99

THINK TANK 0 Insolation [W/m²] 1000 the cetisPV-Moduletest3, together with the 200 400 600 800 thermal chamber. It reveals at the same time -0.116 that calculations of the power at conditions TkU [mV/K] -0.118 different from the points of measurement, in the reduced energy rating matrix, may -0.12 become erroneous if temperature -0.122 coefficients cannot be derived precisely for -0.124 each individual setting of the flash intensity. -0.126 Note that excellent repeatability of the test -0.128 tool is required to resolve such variations. -0.13 Conclusion Fig. 2 Insolation dependency of temperature coefficient Large scale PV-projects all over the world and the constant pressure to deliver high efficiency module and a mc-Si standard power output. The differences observed renewable energy at lowest costs requires module. The measured power output at here are in the range of 2-3%, which may be a precise project planning and careful choice of different temperature and irradiance vital factor in project planning and project material. Depending on the location of a conditions is normalized to the STC power financing to decide on the optimum module project, the overall energy yield may differ output and the irradiance to show relative technology for a given PV-project. significantly, between different technologies differences in the performance according to of identical STC power, as shown in the The measurement equipment used for such measurement example in this contribution. P =normalized Pmeas ∙10 0 0 W/m² measurements, should therefore be capable PSTC∙Insol of delivering such data with a low degree of This results in a rising demand for high variation, in order to have precise input data precision measurements going beyond where Insol is the irradiance of the and risk minimization. STC conditions, which require measurement. measurement equipment that delivers the Fig. 2 shows the temperature coefficient for highest precision results for a wide range Whereas the IBC-module generates a higher the voltage of the mc-Si module, derived of testing conditions. Dealing with the power output relative to its STC value at high from IV-measurements at 20°C and 30°C as a many sources of measurement temperature and high irradiance, the mc-Si function of irradiance. It is observed that the uncertainty, a competent partner is module shows a better performance at lower temperature dependency of VOC, becomes needed providing easy-to-use solutions irradiance. stronger with decreasing irradiation, starting and professional customer support. at -118mV/K at 1000W/m² and reaching up to In the lower temperature ranges, the higher -128mV/K at 100W/m². At h.a.l.m. we understand this challenge and temperature coefficient of the mc-Si module our support team of PV experts assist our leads to a further increase in its relative This demonstrates the accuracy of customer base to achieve the highest temperature coefficient determination using possible accuracy for their measurement tasks. It is the combination of versatility, reliability and achievable accuracy that has convinced established certification bodies such as TÜV Rheinland, Fraunhofer ISE, CFV, RETC, Fujian Metrology Institute to rely on this tool to offer their services. We work together to achieve optimum results in order to promote the rise of the PV century for a sunny future. www.halm.de 1.1 1.05 mc-Si Module IBC Module 1 0.95 0.9 0.85 100 W/m² 1000 W/m² 0.8 0.75 15°C 20°C 25°C 30°C 35°C 40°C 45°C 50°C 55°C 60°C 65°C 70°C Fig. 3 Power output / insolation normalized by STC power output / 1000W/m² 100 PES SOLAR