The Latest Process for
Solar Cells Interconnection
SWT is an innovative cell connection process for solar module manufacturing. Standard busbars are replaced by 18 micro-wires that gather energy fluently and strengthen the solar cell. The wires are coated with a thin layer, which melts to the cell during the module lamination process, building up electrical contact points in the entire cell. SmartWire Technology results in advanced module efficiency improvements while negative effects are reduced.
WE DELIVER THE LATEST
TECHNOLOGY TO
POWER THE WORLD
It all starts with a wire; 18 micro-wires are robotically placed in parallel and held in place by a transparent foil in an over/under pattern. This foil-wire assembly (FWA) forms the electrical conductor, designed with surgical precision, creating a superior cell connection substrate that eliminates busbars.
AUTOMATED CELL
CONNECTION
Our solar cells are linked robotically to form a cell string, eliminating manual soldering. The FWA interconnects the front side of a cell to the back side of the next cell, ensuring the proper connection from cell to cell.
VIRTUALLY FREE OF MECHANICAL STRESS
BY ELIMINATING CELL SOLDERING
A 60 cell solar matrix is created by alternating 6 strings of 10 cells with the FWA. The matrix is covered with TPO encapsulant then placed between a sheet of anti-reflective tempered glass and a backsheet.
1. GLASS (Anti-reflective tempered)
2. TPO (Natural water repellent)
3. MATRIX (60 Solar cells)
4. TPO (Natural water repellent)
5. BACKSHEET (Aluminum & Polyolefin)
NO MANUAL SOLDERING
CELL INTERCONNECTION
LAMINATION AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT
In order to protect the cell matrix from environmental influences, the individual layers are bonded together by vacuum pressure and heat, to form an ultra durable solar laminate. This lamination process also forms the electrical connections between the wires and the cell.
Electrical contact point
with the cell metalization
The SmartWire to cell connection points are bonded at a lower temperature than the busbar soldering process. As a result, SWT induces less thermo-mechanical stress on the solar cell, significantly reducing the cell brittleness associated in busbar technology.
KEY TECHNOLOGY
FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY
SOLAR CELLS
ADVANCED ENERGY COLLECTION
The superior efficiency of SWT is driven by 18 micro-wires that form a dense grid of up to 2,660 contact points on the solar cell. This structure allows electrons to travel a shorter distance in order to be collected, thus reducing resistive losses.
Lower Resistance = More Electricity
Higher Resistance = Less Electricity
The lower resistance enables the extraction of more power from each individual finger, thereby increasing the power density when compared to traditional busbar panels.
OPTIMIZING THE
ENERGY COLLECTION
REDIRECTING LIGHT
The round shape of the micro-wire introduces a light trapping effect which reduces the shading by 25% compared to busbar technology.
THE NEW LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY
MINIMIZING
MICRO-CRACK EFFECTS
Micro-cracks have a minimum effect on modules with SmartWire, since the FWA acts as a protective layer for the solar cell with the dense grid of up to 2,660 contact points.
Even a micro-cracked cell remains contacted, maintaining the energy collection at high levels.