Düsseldorf / Hyderabad | February 2026
TaiyangNews has announced the release of its first Market Survey on Solar Module Production Equipment, offering an in-depth look at the production tools enabling today’s fast-evolving solar PV panel technologies.
While PV modules may still appear as familiar rectangular ‘black boxes’, the technology inside has undergone multiple generations of transformation – from half-cut to multi-cut cells, multi- and zero-busbar (0BB) designs, glass-glass constructions, and reduced- or no-gap layouts. These innovations, largely independent of underlying cell technology, have been made possible by equally significant advances in module production equipment.
Recognizing the strategic importance of this segment, the TaiyangNews survey evaluates 5 critical stages of module production: combined tabber and stringer (CTS), auto-layup, auto-bussing, laminator, and sun simulator. The survey features responses from 9 leading equipment suppliers, covering 51 products, and provides detailed technical descriptions, key specifications, and comparative tables.
Interconnection emerges as the most dynamic station in the production line. With back-contact (BC) technology gaining momentum and 0BB designs driving material efficiency, CTS platforms are evolving rapidly to support complex interconnection requirements. Leading suppliers now offer flexible tool architectures capable of handling multi-cut cells, advanced layouts, and, in some cases, retrofit upgrades for existing lines.
Automation steps such as auto-layup and auto-bussing are also under the spotlight, reflecting their growing sensitivity to advanced module designs, non-traditional applications, and complex interconnection circuits. Meanwhile, lamination platforms continue to mature, offering single- and multi-stack configurations with varying process integrations to balance throughput, footprint, and redundancy.
In module characterization, the survey highlights the growing adoption of LED-based sun simulators, driven by longer lifetimes and cost advantages, while highlighting the continued relevance of xenon-based systems for calibration-grade measurements.
“Module innovation today is as much about production equipment capability as it is about module design,” said Michael Schmela, Managing Director of TaiyangNews. “This survey focuses on the production technologies that quietly enable higher efficiency, new form factors, and cost optimization across the industry.”
Shravan Chunduri, Head of Technology at TaiyangNews, added: “As manufacturing scales up and module designs become more sophisticated, understanding equipment capabilities becomes critical for strategic decision-making. This report is designed to support manufacturers, investors, and technology providers navigating the next phase of PV manufacturing.”
The report was launched during the TaiyangNews Solar Technology Conference India (STC.I 2026), taking place from Feb. 5-6, 2026, in New Delhi, where the country’s solar manufacturing industry meets (more information here).
The report is available for free download on the TaiyangNews website here.
For media inquiries, briefings, or further information on the report and the Badge of Excellence 2025, please contact:
Meena Nair
Marketing Communications Manager