New Stringer For Shingle Modules

• Fraunhofer ISE and M10 Industries have developed a matrix shingle concept for solar modules
• They have also designed a new stringer to manufacture these modules on an industrial scale
• The matrix shingle concept arranges shingled solar cells in an offset manner, improving the overall efficiency of the modules by around 2% to 6% than conventionally connected half-cell solar cells
• The new machine can process 12,000 shingle cells in an hour in a fully automated process, and can be integrated into conventional module production
• Such matrix shingle modules can be deployed for BIPV projects, according to the duo

German solar energy research institute Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy (ISE) and its industrial partner M10 Industries AG have developed a new stringer to manufacture 'novel' matrix shingle modules, using a matrix shingle concept to connect silicon solar cells that they have developed.

Compared to traditional shingled technology where solar cell strips are overlapped in a shingled arrangement, the matrix shingle concept developed by the duo arranges shingled solar cells in an offset manner, 'similar to bricks in a masonry wall'. They claim this placement helps improve efficiency of matrix shingle modules by some 2% to 6% more than modules with conventionally connected half-cell solar cells.

The matrix arrangement also has a 'very high' tolerance to partial shading, 'producing up to 100% more power' under the circumstances.

Speaking about the stringer developed by M10 Industries that enables the production of these modules on an industrial scale, the company's CEO Phillipp Zahn said, "The matrix approach has enabled us to implement a completely new machine concept. Our system has a much higher throughput than classic shingle stringers and is in no way inferior to conventional stringers in terms of megawatt output."

The machine, he shared, can process 12,000 shingle cells an hour in a fully automated process. It can be integrated into conventional module production line and connected solar cells completely lead-free.

"Matrix shingle modules are predestined for integrated applications, especially in building façades," added Head of Group Interconnection and Encapsulation at Fraunhofer ISE, Achim Kraft. "Particularly in building integration, maximum area utilization, shading tolerance and appealing aesthetics are important."

Fraunhofer ISE said it will exhibit the 1^st prototypes for matrix shingle modules at the Intersolar Europe Restart 2021 to be held from October 6 to October 8, 2021.

TaiyangNews covered shingled modules technology in a recent report (see Advanced Module Technology 2021 Report).