Online tools help optimize solar ribbon needs

Luvata introduces its online solar ribbon calculator called the Sunwire Calculator. The Sunwire Calculator enables photovoltaic module manufacturers to make more informed decisions concerning their solar ribbon needs.
Solar ribbon width and thickness must be carefully adapted to accommodate the limitations of module materials. In addition, the yield strength, thickness, and width of solar ribbon can directly influence production yields and decrease cell to module (CTM) losses by 20-30%.
 
With the Luvata Sunwire Calculator, PV module manufacturers can optimize the amount of Sunwire ribbon per spool to accommodate the speed of tabbing machines and shift changes. In addition, it provides the opportunity to further refine module materials and Sunwire ribbon for improved module efficiency and reduce overall material costs.
The Sunwire Calculator requires a few simple details to determine the solar ribbon weight, the ribbon length per spool, and the ribbon length per solar panel. The results are available immediately and can be emailed directly to an email address.
 
As PV module manufacturers look to reduce usage of silver paste in the cell metallization process, this can increase the number of interconnecting ribbons on the cell. This offers lower costs, while improving the efficiency of the solar cells. Playing with the Sunwire Calculator to determine the solar ribbon weight based on the copper width, copper thickness, or coating thickness or the length of Sunwire depending on the number of cells and busbars per cells will help PV module manufactures determine the optimal results.
 
Luvata | www.luvata.com
 

Volume: July/August 2015