Euro solar is Surfacing – pv magazine International

From pv journal 05/23.

In late 2021, M10 Industries, a German manufacturing tools provider, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Photo voltaic Vitality Programs, a analysis physique, first printed particulars of their shingled cell matrix know-how. After a improvement interval of simply seven months, the 2 companions had been capable of current a manufacturing software prepared for sequence manufacturing, which they named Floor.

This resulted within the 2021 basis of M10 Photo voltaic Tools GmbH, a three way partnership established by M10 Industries and Zahoransky, an automation tools provider, to start manufacturing Floor machines for large-scale, business PV cell interconnection, on the JV facility in Freiburg, Germany.

The potential is big. The stringer system is the world’s first – and to date, solely – series-built wiring machine for shingle matrix photo voltaic modules that locations and connects shingled cells in an offset sample throughout the face of a module. , just like the way in which bricks are laid. exterior the wall. The standard manner of connecting the cells – the place they’re aligned vertically and linked as a thread – is changed by a technique the place the cell strips are positioned inside and linked in order that they overlap whereas being offset vertically. Electrons stream throughout the floor of the ensuing module matrix, each in sequence and in parallel.

Particularly constructing facades, the shingled cell matrix methodology reveals its energy. The know-how produces aesthetically interesting modules with out gaps between cells and likewise affords sturdy shading tolerance to spice up efficiency. For the reason that manufacturing machine was launched – able to processing 12,000 cell strips of any measurement per hour – on the Intersolar Europe commerce present final yr, M10 Photo voltaic has attracted curiosity from varied PV producers. A manufacturing unit is in service on the M10 website to assist potential prospects within the improvement and manufacturing of prototype modules.

Matrix simulation

Throughout the machine’s improvement part, the accountable events requested themselves if it may course of 12,000 cell strips per hour of operation and, in that case, if that was the restrict. What ranges of shaking and climbing could be lifelike, colleagues requested.

Philipp Zahn and Marco Saladin are notably within the solutions. As joint managing administrators, the pair is liable for the destiny of the M10 Photo voltaic Tools enterprise. A specialist in mechanical engineering and automation, the Zahoransky enterprise has labored with Siemens for a few years and the know-how firms are collaborating once more on the Floor innovation course of.

“We began the simulations about 10 years in the past, which may be very uncommon for a medium-sized enterprise,” mentioned Saladin, who beforehand labored for Zahoransky. As a substitute of losing years on desk calculations or trial-and-error loops, the enterprise depends on simulation packages for early engine ideas.

The managers selected Siemens’ Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software program, which Zahoransky was already conversant in. The software program simulates complicated manufacturing techniques and processes in easy-to-understand laptop fashions and is used to simulate, visualize, analyze, and optimize manufacturing and logistics processes.

“We had been capable of make quick and dependable selections and consider completely different situations early within the improvement part of Floor,” Saladin mentioned. “Plant simulation helps us design the format, management logic, and useful resource measurement.” Saladin and Zahn consider they’ve achieved time financial savings of round 30% over the course of the venture, due to the simulations.

“With the plant simulation, we will simply discover the most effective design for our interconnection system and likewise obtain the utmost throughput,” Zahn mentioned. This shortens the preliminary manufacturing part and eliminates time-consuming and costly correction steps later within the manufacturing course of.

business in Europe

With its new Floor software, M10 is considering far exterior the field for PV module manufacturing and appears to play an necessary position in bringing giant scale PV manufacturing again to Europe. “If we need to make a giant contribution to Europe’s vitality transition, we have to revive PV manufacturing right here at residence,” Saladin mentioned. “Our experience in analysis, product improvements, and traditionally sturdy mechanical engineering can be of nice assist.”

Reason for the climate

“It’s in the end a matter of progress whereas rebuilding your entire worth chain – regardless of the difficulties within the provide chains, regardless of the value will increase, and regardless of the geopolitical uncertainties certainty,” Zahn mentioned. Germany, and the remainder of Europe and the world, at the moment rely closely on China for the provision of photo voltaic cells, modules, and associated elements. “In Europe, our energy is in new manufacturing ideas. We have to develop them,” mentioned Saladin. This implies gigawatt-scale factories. “At this scale, simulations are important,” he added. “They turn into crucial software for a quick begin at a sensible price.”

Plant simulation is usually utilized in full line ideas to optimize throughput, get rid of bottlenecks, and reduce stock. To research the results of various manufacturing variations, simulation fashions take into account inside and exterior provide chains, manufacturing sources, and enterprise processes. On the similar time, they’ll verify completely different line management methods and synchronize the principle and auxiliary strains. Plant simulation can outline complicated materials stream guidelines and monitor line efficiency.

Efficiency simulation

Apart from Tecnomatix, Siemens affords an entire portfolio of options for your entire worth chain – from polysilicon manufacturing and ingot slicing to cell manufacturing and module manufacturing. Built-in options for photo voltaic panel producers and plant and machine builders embody the whole lot from energy provide to plant-wide automation.

The aim is at all times environment friendly, versatile, and sustainable manufacturing of top-quality photo voltaic panels. The M10 stringer system is step one, and the remainder will observe.

In regards to the creator: Tobias Wachtmann Turned head of Siemens’ international glass and photo voltaic enterprise in Karlsruhe, Germany, since June 2020. The 47-year-old started his profession on the firm in 2000. After coaching in industrial know-how, he occupied gross sales roles at Siemens earlier than shifting to the method business headquarters in Karlsruhe in 2012. Since 2017, he has labored in vertical glass and photo voltaic, specializing in account improvement.