Leading Technology for Solar Energy
Mastering the module back end process
PV conference, Hong-Kong 14.-15. oct 2009
Andréas von Kaenel, 3S Industries, COO Pasan
Mastering the module back end process 3S at a glance
In depth process know-how
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 4
The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 5
The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 6
Milestones of te growth strategy
• Founded as developer and producer of solar modules for building integration in 2001
• Development of production equipment for solar modules
• Sales of first laminating line to a high-volume producer after the machine has been benchmarked
• Sales of manual turn-key lines
• IPO at Berne Exchange (BX)
• Management structure enhances further growth
• Break even reached, highly profitable since then
• Acquisition of Pasan, the leading supplier of testers
• Acquisition of Somont
• Capital increase
• Global market leadership
• Sale of first semi automated production line
• Market introduction of fully automated production line
• Opening of sales and services in USA
• Delivery of the first fully automated Back-end of a production line
• Expansion of distribution network with own sales and service organization in Hong Kong and Singapore
2001 - 04 2007 2008 200920062005
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 7
3S Industries, a global presence
Pasan SANeuchâtel (CH)
Somont GmbHFreiburg (D)
3S Swiss Solar SystemsLyss (CH)
3S Industries LtdTucson (AZ)
3S Industries LtdBarcelona (E)
Bergen AssociatesNew Dehli (IN)
3S Industries LtdHong-Kong(HQ APAC)
3S ChinaKunshan
3S Singapur
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 8
Business Model
Experts in design and development of innovative building integrated solar systems
World’s market leader for production equipment for manufacturing of solar modules
Know-how accumulated from the conception and production of solar modules flows directly into further development of production equipment
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 9
BIPV Project example: Water and Life center (USA)
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 10
Production front end
3S’ positioning in the solar energy value chain
Production back-end System design
Operation
Cristalline cell
Thin Filmcell(a-Si, μ-Si,CIS, CIGS,CdT, …)
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 11
Back-end production Process
Testing
Soldering
Cells
Glass cleaning
Foil cutting
1. Heating & Vacuum & Pressure2. Cooling
1. Edge trimming 2. Frame press 3. Junction box
Sorting& Packing
AssemblyLamination Lay-up
Power testing
Cell connetion
c-Si
Thin-film:
PV-Substrate
monolithic interconnected
thin-film cells on substrate
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 12
Product and Service Overview
Product groups
Component Production Production lines Photovoltaic systems
• Lines of various automation degrees
• Technology transfer• Certification assistance• Turn-key solutions
• Stringer 1)
• Laminators 2)
• Cell and module testers 2)
• Edge trimming machines 2)
• Framing machines 2)
• Module sorters 2)
• MegaSlate roofing systems
• Shading• Glassing• OEM Production
• Global presence• Global presence • Switzerland• Europe
Geographical reach
1) For crystalline silicon 2) for crystalline silicon and thin-film
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 13
Fast technology transfer gives our customers a competitive advantage
1 MW Solar BIPV glass/glass modules
produced by Lucky Power
3S Services include Know How Transfer and Certification
8th world-games 2009 Taiwan
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Mastering the module back end process 3S at a glance
In depth process know-how
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 15
Mastering the module back end process
What is actually the value for the module producer ?
Product quality product performance
long life time warranty
TCO throughput
yield
Time to market know-how transfer
services
Require an in depth
Know How of the process
Examples: Soldering process Laminating process Performance measurement Optimised production line Fast track certification
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 16
Soldering process
Somont Stringer
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 17
Soldering process
0
50
100
150
200
250
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 heating zones
Tem
per
atu
re
Soldering_temp
Soft-touch: process research with Fraunhofer on
crystalline silicon material analysis progressive heating of the cell controlled small energy add
to achieve soldering progressive cooling of the cell low stress, low breakage rate high yield
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 18
Laminating process
3S Swiss Solar SystemsLaminator
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 19
Laminating process
Temperature uniformity of ± 1%: patented hybrid heating system very homogenous and controlled
temperature distribution over thewhole laminating area
reproducible and high level cross-linking better quality control faster process
Heating plate
Electrical rod
Heat carrier oil
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 20
Performance measurement
Pasan Sun Simulator
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 21
Performance measurementSpectral matching with AM 1.5g IEC 60904: Spectral match has an impact on
measurement accuracy, especiallyfor thin films
Accuracy determines the performanceof the produced modules
Class AA-AA-AA, achieved through: high density plasma Xenon tubes interferential filters
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 22
Production line
Degree ofautomation
Output
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 23
Turn-key automated Module Production Line
Glass washingmachine
Stringer
Lay-up
Laminatingline
Edge-triming
Junction box
Framing
Performancemeasurement
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 24
Turn-key fully automated Module Production Line
Junction box
Framing
Trimming
Laminating lines
Performancemeasurement
Sorter
Lay-up
Bussing
Glass washingmachine
Stringers
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 25
Production line
Degree ofautomation
Output
?Will require even more process, design and material know-how and integration
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 26
Know-How transfer and Fast track
Standard certification process
Line production and commissionning Ramp-up Product certification Production
Fast Track (in partnership with )
Line production and commissionning Ramp-up
Product certification
Production
3-6 months faster time-to-market
Factory inspection
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009 Page 27
Disclaimer
Certain statements made in this presentation may constitute “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking information is subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These include statements concerning our expectations and other statements that are not historical facts. The Company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions and reflect the judgement of 3S Industries AG’s management based on factors currently known by it. No assurance can be given that these forward-looking statements will prove accurate and correct, or that anticipated, projected future results will be achieved.
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Thank you foryour attention