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
The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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The very beginning: first 3S High-tech project
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Milestones of te growth strategy
2001 - 04
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
• Founded as
developer and
producer of
solar modules
for building
integration in
2001
• Sales of first
laminating line
to a highvolume
producer after
the machine
has been
benchmarked
• Management
structure
enhances
further growth
• Acquisition of
Pasan, the
leading
supplier of
testers
• Acquisition of
Somont
• Delivery of the
first fully
automated
Back-end of a
production line
• Development
of production
equipment for
solar modules
• Sales of
manual turnkey lines
• Break even
reached,
highly
profitable since
then
• IPO at Berne
Exchange (BX)
• Capital
increase
• Global market
leadership
• Sale of first
semi
automated
production line
• Market
introduction of
fully automated
production line
• Expansion of
distribution
network with
own sales and
service
organization in
Hong Kong
and Singapore
• Opening of
sales and
services in
USA
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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3S Industries, a global presence
3S Swiss Solar Systems
Lyss (CH)
Somont GmbH
Freiburg (D)
Pasan SA
Neuchâtel (CH)
3S Industries Ltd
Hong-Kong
(HQ APAC)
3S China
Kunshan
3S Industries Ltd
Barcelona (E)
3S Singapur
3S Industries Ltd
Tucson (AZ)
Bergen Associates
New Dehli (IN)
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Business Model
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
Experts in design and development of
innovative building integrated solar
systems
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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BIPV Project example: Water and Life center (USA)
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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3S’ positioning in the solar energy value chain
Production front end
Production back-end
System
design
Operation
Cristalline cell
Thin Film
cell
(a-Si, μ-Si,
CIS, CIGS,
CdT, …)
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Back-end production Process
Cell connetion
Lamination
Lay-up
Assembly
Testing
c-Si
Cells
Glass cleaning
Soldering
1. Heating
& Vacuum
& Pressure
2. Cooling
Foil cutting
1. Edge trimming
2. Frame press
3. Junction box
Power
testing
Sorting
& Packing
Thin-film:
PV-Substrate
monolithic interconnected
thin-film cells on substrate
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Product and Service Overview
Component Production
Product
groups
• Stringer 1)
• Laminators 2)
• Cell and module testers 2)
• Edge trimming machines 2)
• Framing machines 2)
• Module sorters 2)
Geographical
reach
1) For crystalline silicon
• Global presence
Production lines
Photovoltaic systems
• Lines of various
automation degrees
• Technology transfer
• Certification assistance
• Turn-key solutions
• MegaSlate roofing
systems
• Shading
• Glassing
• OEM Production
• Global presence
• Switzerland
• Europe
2) for crystalline silicon and thin-film
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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3S Services include Know How Transfer and Certification
Fast technology transfer gives our customers a
competitive advantage
8th world-games 2009 Taiwan
1 MW Solar BIPV glass/glass modules
produced by Lucky Power
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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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 14
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
Require an in depth
Know How of the process
Examples:





Soldering process
Laminating process
Performance measurement
Optimised production line
Fast track certification
Time to market
 know-how transfer
 services
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Soldering process
Somont Stringer
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Soldering process
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





250
Soldering_temp
Temperature
200
150
100
50
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 heating zones
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Laminating process
3S Swiss Solar Systems
Laminator
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Laminating process
Temperature uniformity of ± 1%:
 patented hybrid heating system
 very homogenous and controlled



Heating plate
temperature distribution over the
whole laminating area
reproducible and high level cross-linking
better quality control
faster process
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
Electrical rod
Heat carrier oil
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Performance measurement
Pasan Sun Simulator
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Performance measurement
Spectral matching with AM 1.5g IEC 60904:
 Spectral match has an impact on




measurement accuracy, especially
for thin films
Accuracy determines the performance
of 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
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Production line
Degree of
automation
Output
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Turn-key automated Module Production Line
Junction box
Framing
Performance
measurement
Edge-triming
Glass washing
machine
Laminating
line
Lay-up
Stringer
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Turn-key fully automated Module Production Line
Glass washing
machine
Lay-up
Laminating lines
Stringers
Bussing
Trimming
Junction box
Framing
Sorter
Performance
measurement
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Production line
Degree of
automation
?
Will require even more
process, design and material
know-how and integration
Output
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Know-How transfer and Fast track
Standard certification process
Line production and commissionning
Product certification
Ramp-up
Production
3-6 months faster
time-to-market
Fast Track (in partnership with
Line production and commissionning
Product certification
)
Ramp-up
Production
Factory
inspection
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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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.
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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Thank you for
your attention
3S Industries Group – PV Conference Hong-Kong, Octobre 14th, 2009
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