27 October 2010Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The need to reduce PV (photovoltaic) manufacturing costs, combined with the present shortage of polysilicon feedstock, is driving a steady reduction in wafer and cell thicknesses. Hand soldering of tabs and stringers without causing damage or latent defects to the cells is one of the steps that has become more challenging. Cells can break during the process or crack in the completed modules. Process equipment such as soldering irons must adapt in order to maintain high yields with acceptable mechanical and module reliability as the industry shifts the wafer thickness below 200 microns.
The ability to solder at low, controlled temperatures (connection temperatures must be maintained below 300°C) within a short time window, also reduces the stresses on the cells and the likelihood of micro-cracking, while still producing a controlled, high quality solder joint. OK International’s PS-900-Solar soldering system offers ease of use and unique SmartHeat Technology, which supplies power on demand using a calibration-free system that reacts instantly to changing thermal demands, thus minimising thermally induced stresses on the surface of the solar cells. The system, combined with the specially designed STV-DRH440A hoof tip, optimises the power delivered to the solder joint to provide high performance and efficiency with increased tip life.
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