Meyer Burger Technology Ltd. held its Technology Day 2017 at the technology and production site in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany, on Thursday. The primary focus of the event was on the equipment manufacturer’s PV cell technologies, with participants enjoying a tour through production, including the company’s Heterojunction (HJT) production line and MB PERC technology assembly.
According to the company, a highlight of the visit included the premiere of a 334.9 W module as precisely measured and confirmed by TÜV Rheinland – Solar Energy Assessment Center Cologne (SEACC) and based on HJT cell technology and SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT). The HJT solar cells in the 60-cell glass/white backsheet module were processed on an industrial manufacturing line operating at Meyer Burger’s Hohenstein-Ernstthal site. The company says the results underscore the transfer of recent successful R&D progress. The HJT cells used for the 335 W module had an average busbar-less efficiency of 23.5% using commercially available 6-inch (M2) n-type wafers. The best cell achieved a busbar-less efficiency of 24.02% based on a Fraunhofer ISE-certified measurement calibration, according to the company.
The production line uses Meyer Burger’s fully industrialized HELiA PECVD and PVD process equipment using only six process steps. Dr Gunter Erfurt, chief technology officer at Meyer Burger, comments, “Our production line, which is continuously operated at 25 MW in two-shift mode, is unique for an equipment manufacturer and key to achieve and prove a high level of industrialization. Today, with our cost-competitive Meyer Burger HJT and SWCT technologies, we continuously achieve an average of 320 W, with best modules above 330 W. As proud as we are of this milestone, the 335 W champion module is just another step in advancing our ambitious HJT/SWCT technology and industrialization roadmap.”
