11 August 2011

Ultrasonic installs spray coating system for Nexcis' CIGS PV module production

Ultrasonic spray coating equipment maker Ultrasonic Systems Inc (USI) of Haverhill, MA, USA has installed and commissioned a PV-480 coating system at Nexcis Photovoltaic Technology of Rousset, France, which is developing copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panel.

The system will be used for the application of sodium fluoride solution, a process that improves the overall efficiency of the cell. USI says that the PV-480 leverages its proprietary, nozzle-less ultrasonic spray head technology for more uniform and repeatable coating deposition compared with conventional air atomizing spray nozzle, conventional ultrasonic nozzle, and roll coating technologies.

Designed for high-volume in-line manufacturing, the PV-480 processes glass plates up to 48 inches wide at line speeds of up to 6 feet per minute. Using a traversing Ultra-Spray blade head, it delivers liquid coating with transfer efficiencies in excess of 90%. The versatile system suits the application of a variety of low-viscosity liquids used in the manufacture of thin-film photovoltaic cells.

“The PV-480 complies perfectly with our expectations and provides excellent coating performance,” comments Herve Rivoal, chemistry section head at Nexcis Photovoltaic Technology. “We are pleased with our growing success with thin-film solar manufacturers requiring the latest manufacturing equipment technology to create reliable, efficient thin-film modules,” says Ultrasonic Systems’ president Stuart Erickson. “The latest PV-480 installation reflects the success of our unique nozzle-less spray head technology for spray coating applications critical to CIGS thin-film solar production.”

See related items:

Ultrasonic Systems launches spray system for CdTe PV module making

Tags: CIGS

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