PV module production has come a long way since the first solar cell was produced in 1883. Since then the process of producing a silicon cell and making a solar panel has drastically improved leading to better, cheaper solar energy.
A key component in improving PV module production has been automation. Automation is a widely used technology in many industries, from manufacturing to agriculture, and of course solar.
As the demand for clean renewable energy continues to grow, solar manufacturers are turning to automation technologies to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the quality of their products.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of automation in PV module production, provide real-world examples of how it can be used, and discuss some of the challenges and considerations that come with implementing this technology.
What Is Automation?
Automation is the use of machines, such as robots, to complete tasks that would otherwise have to be done manually. Automation is used in many industries and can be broken down into three main categories: process automation, product automation, and system automation.
Process automation involves the use of machines to carry out processes that would in the past be done manually by hand. This includes tasks such as welding, cutting, and soldering solar cells and materials for example.
Product automation refers to the use of technology to automate various aspects of a product’s design, development, and manufacturing. In the context of a solar module, this could mean automating one or more of the steps involved in manufacturing a renewable solar panel.
Finally, system automation is the use of machines to control an entire system such as solar module production lines. At this time, PV production is not full system automated. There are some aspects that require human input and monitoring.
Use Of Automation In Photovoltaic Module Production
Automation has been used in PV production for many years but has become more popular in recent years as technology has advanced. The use of automation in solar module manufacturing has allowed companies to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve the quality of their products.
Parts Of The Solar Module Production Process That Are Automated
PV module production involves a number of different steps, and automation is used in many of these steps. The most common parts of the PV module production process that manufacturers can automate include:
1. Cutting and welding of the module frames
2. Soldering of solar cells
3. Assembling of the module components
4. Testing of the modules
5. Packaging of the modules
Automation is largely through the machines used in the solar manufacturing process.
Pros Of Automation In Solar Industry
As with any technology, there are both pros and cons of automation in PV module production. The main pros of automation are that it reduces the need for labor, increases efficiency, and improves the quality of products.
Better Quality Control
Machines can produce products with fewer defects than human workers. This allows companies to improve the quality of their products.
Automation can be used to carry out quality control checks, such as testing the PV module machines for defects and ensuring that they meet industry standards. This can help to reduce customer complaints and increase customer satisfaction.
Increased Efficiency
Automation can be used to reduce the amount of time it takes to produce a module, as machines are usually faster and more accurate than human workers. This can help to increase the rate of production and reduce the overall cost of production.
Automation can also be used to reduce the amount of energy consumed during the photovoltaic module production process, as machines can be programmed to operate at optimal levels.
Safety
Automation also helps to reduce human error and increase safety. The use of automation can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, as well as reduce the cost of insurance premiums as machines can operate without any human intervention.
Cons Of Automation In PV Module Production
Automation is not without its faults, however, and it’s important to consider the cons before you decide to fully automate.
Expensive
Automation can help you achieve cost efficiencies in terms of reduced labor and increased productivity. This comes at a price however as buying automated or even partially automated solar panel machines will cost more than manually operated equipment.
Manual labor is a viable alternative to automation, as it can be more cost-effective in some cases. The primary benefit of manual labor is that it can be less expensive than automation in the short term.
This is especially true for small-scale plants, as manual labor is relatively inexpensive. Manual labor can also be more flexible than automation, as it can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the production process.
However, manual labor can be less efficient than automation. This is because manual labor is prone to human error, which can lead to mistakes and wasted resources. Manual labor can also be slower than automation, as it is limited by the speed of the human worker.
This can lead to a slower production rate and higher costs per unit. Finally, manual labor can be more expensive in the long run, as it requires wages and benefits. This is also influenced by the location of the renewable solar energy plant. In some places, labor is cheaper.
Challenges And Considerations Of Automation
While automation offers more advantages than disadvantages, there are some factors to consider. Automation works well for repetitive and predictable tasks of which there are many in PV module production lines.
They do struggle with more complex tasks. Fortunately, PV manufacturing process is fairly straightforward and robots can adequately complete most of the required steps in producing a PV panel.
Conclusion
Though it is more expensive, the main thing to take away from this article is that automation provides a smoother solar panel production process. Less labor, increased efficiency, and more consistent quality control will ensure you deliver a better product that customers will be satisfied with.
In the future most if not all manufacturers will adopt an automation-first approach as they try to maximize efficiency for profitability. The smart thing to do therefore is to get ahead of the trend and give yourself a competitive advantage while you can.