Tesla Patents New Process To Bond Solar Cells With Heat-Cured Conductive Adhesive

Steve Hanley for CleanTechnica:  Business as usual is not the usual for Elon Musk. He and his minions are always looking for new and innovative ways to disrupt the status quo. A solar panel consists of lots of solar cells that all have to be interconnected, usually by soldering or placing them in a convection oven. But business as usual is not usual in any business Musk is connected with.

Prior to being acquired by Tesla, SolarCity filed a 28 page patent application that covers a new way of manufacturing solar panels using a heat-activated adhesive that also conducts electricity. The conductive thermo-setting adhesive may be unique — and apparently it is — but the process will be familiar to anyone who has ever watched hamburgers being cooked at Burger King.

The solar cells are arranged in a cascading arrangement, then placed on a moving belt that takes them for a trip beneath the specially designed heaters. When they pop out the other end of the line, they are permanently bonded together. SolarCity claims in its patent application, which is entitled “Systems, Method, and Apparatus for Curing Conductive Paste,” that the process is more efficient than conventional manufacturing methods.  Full Article:

Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.


Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

HPS EnduraCoilTM Cast Resin Medium Voltage Transformer

HPS EnduraCoilTM Cast Resin Medium Voltage Transformer

HPS EnduraCoil is a high-performance cast resin transformer designed for many demanding and diverse applications while minimizing both installation and maintenance costs. Coils are formed with mineral-filled epoxy, reinforced with fiberglass and cast to provide complete void-free resin impregnation throughout the entire insulation system. HPS EnduraCoil complies with the new NRCan 2019 and DOE 2016 efficiency regulations and is approved by both UL and CSA standards. It is also seismic qualified per IBC 2012/ASCE 7-10/CBC 2013. Cast resin transformers are self-extinguishing in the unlikely event of fire, environmentally friendly and offer greater resistance to short circuits. HPS also offers wide range of accessories for transformer protection and monitoring requirements.