engineering the solar age - Suppliers for Photovoltaics

All over the world companies are finding better ways to do more for more people and to waste less in the process. All over the world Luvata is helping them.

Photovoltaic wire

Customer needs are continually evolving and business requirements are forever changing. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the renewable energy industry. Luvata, an early pioneer in the photovoltaic industry, manufactures solar ribbon branded Sunwire^TM.

Sunwire is compatible with both thin-film technology and crystalline silicon and is used as both an interconnecting ribbon and a cross-connecting ribbon.

In recent years, silicon cell thicknesses have been reduced to save material costs. This can make the cells extremely fragile and therefore Sunwire must be softer to prevent them from cracking during manufacture. Increased electrical efficiency of the cells requires a greater copper cross section, but not at the expense of width, which shadows the cell. Sunwire has been made thicker which requires even greater material softness. Luvata continues to work on yield strength to make Sunwire ultrasoft, perhaps the softest on the market today.

In addition, as the automation and efficiency of PV module manufacturing improves, there has been demand for larger spools. Historically spools of Sunwire have been 4-5 kg and now they have doubled to 10-15 kg. Larger biconical spools help improve production efficiency andreduce manufacturing costs. With our Sunwire proprietary technology, we are able to deliver all three: softer, thicker Sunwire on bigger spools.

With dedicated Sunwire manufacturing facilities and staff in Europe, Asia and North America, Luvata has tripled its production capacity. By implementing identical processes at all three facilities Luvata is able to manufacture exactly the same product with the same consistent quality, and its close proximity to its customers allows the local customer service and technical support team to respond quickly.

Luvata’s Sunwire proprietary manufacturing technology is extremely energy efficient, chemical free and amazingly compact in design. Sunwire is made from materials that are 100% recyclable and its innovative reusable packaging design ensures safe transport while eliminating metric tons of landfill – all of which contribute to clean solar energy.

Luvata continues to research new types of solder and alloys in addition to helping customers with the development of other technologies. This may involve running trials, testing and certification, or simply offering new ideas or solutions to overcome a production or transportation challenge. Luvata recognizes that additional cost and operating efficiencies in the manufacture of PV modules must be achieved before we finally reach grid parity.

Photovoltaic connectors

In addition to making Sunwire^TM branded solar ribbon for PV modules, Luvata also offers machined, cold formed and specialty connectors in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. These connectors are used in junction boxes on the back of the module to transfer electricity to the power grid. Manufactured from high purity copper, Luvata connectors provide 100% conductivity and high reliability and performance for both thin-film and crystalline technologies.

Luvata delivers cost-saving solutions by taking products previously manufactured from bar and re-engineering them to be cold formed. The net result is a product with exceptional performance, quality and reliability, as well as savings from a reduction in material costs.

Luvata

Luvata is probably the longest-standing, most diverse and innovative metals manufacturing and technology group in the world. For almost 450 years, it has been at the forefront of shaping metals, the way they are used and the world that uses them.

Throughout Luvata’s numerous markets, there is a huge demand for solutions that make the modern lifestyle more sustainable: supporting high efficiency, low-emission products and processes that conserve energy, water or food. Luvata uses its experience, innovative spirit and willingness to listen, solve problems and create added value to help customers bring improvement to their products and processes.

Creating lasting partnerships has always been Luvata’s strategy. It is about commitment, collaboration and continually exceeding expectations.