Changzhou/Berlin, October 17, 2019 – OPES Solutions is introducing a series of new production solutions for the smart manufacturing of solar modules. The expansion is a response to the ever more diverse requirements for energy supply solutions in segments serving Energy Access and Smart City applications. The new solutions include a patented string multiplier capable of processing up to 6,000 partial solar cells per hour, making it around five times faster than machines available on the market to date. The company has also added new soldering machines and laminators to boost the level of production automation.
Combining flexibility and automation
Requirements for module shapes and sizes have become much more diverse because of a rise in the number of fields of application for solar solutions. OPES Solutions CEO Robert Händel explains: “While Energy Access and Smart City projects require customized solar modules, standardized and automated production is the key to quality and cost-effectiveness. The smart manufacturing approach provides the cost advantages of automation but still keeps us flexible”.
To implement the smart manufacturing principle, OPES has introduced a management approach integrating manual production islands into its largely automated manufacturing process where required. Combining manual and automated production steps allows a swift switch from one module type to another up to several times a day.
Trend towards growth, diversification and pay-as-you-go
OPES developed its approach as an answer to markets that are both growing and changing: In the off-grid solar energy sector, market researchers are expecting double-digit annual growth rates, with especially high growth being forecast for Energy Access applications. For solar lamps, which make up the largest part of this segment, an annual growth rate of over 15% is expected until 2024, when it should reach a volume of 10.8 billion dollars.
In this context, pay-as-you-go solutions are becoming a more and more popular choice. This means that users do not have to buy a product outright, but that they pay for using it. According to a member survey by the Gogla industry association, the pay-as-you-go share of solar lamps reached around 57% in 2018, with other off-grid solar applications achieving a pay-as-you-go share of 92%.
At the same time, there is a constant stream of new developments. Examples include modules being integrated into vehicles or infrastructure components or being used to provide power for sensors. And the emergence of smart cities has been reinforcing this trend. The combination of more diverse requirements and increasing pay-as-you-go distribution is raising demands on bandwidth and module durability. “Outages affecting pay-as-you-go devices can jeopardize the entire business model. Product quality is key for solution providers, and – by extension – for us as their suppliers.”
About OPES Solutions
OPES is a technology, quality and market leader in the off-grid solar industry. The company focus is on design and production of solar modules, which are tailored to suit applications in the energy access and smart city markets. Flexible design, high durability and an outstanding price/performance ratio are achieved by innovative manufacturing processes implemented in the OPES plant in Changzhou, China. The research and development partners of OPES Solutions include the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics. Business & Product development are based in Berlin, Germany.
- News
- Press Releases
- Renewable News
- Solar
More from across PES
Natural Power supports DIF Capital Partners’ sale of UK onshore wind farm
Leading renewable energy consultancy and service provider, Natural Power, has acted as vendor’s technical advisor on behalf of DIF Capital Partners to support the sale of the 13-turbine, 26MW, Wadlow Wind Farm in Cambridgeshire, England. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals and is expected to take place in Q2 2024…. Read more »
Full clarity and route forward for all Strategic Investment Model (SIM) projects
Since February 2024, the Strategic Investment Model Working Group has been working to ensure that the 38 projects which reached the end of Stage 1 continue to move forward. On the 19th February 2023, the Strategic Investment Model Working Group published the list of 38 projects that had successfully completed Stage 1 (excluding the 6 requesting… Read more »
SIMPLY BLUE GROUP DIVERSIFIES TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE FUELS PROJECTS
New sustainable fuels projects in Canada, Europe and Australia have potential to deliver over 300,000 tonnes of SAF annually. Cork, Ireland, 27 March 2024 – Simply Blue Group, a leading global offshore wind project developer, is developing onshore renewable energy parks to power facilities capable of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The projects, in Canada, Ireland and Australia… Read more »
GCL SI combines high-performance solar solutions with environmental integration.
28th March 2024, Lisbon/ GCL System Integration Technology Co. Ltd (GCLSI), a one-stop energy solution provider, presents the latest solar solutions and discusses biodiversity best practices at the Large-Scale Solar Conference held in Portugal from 26th to 27th March. GCL SI, a pioneer in the global PV industry with a transparent and vertically integrated supply… Read more »
Brazil: Corio and Prumo sign MOU to develop offshore wind at Port of Açu
CEOs of Corio and Prumo confirm agreement at Brazil Offshore Wind Summit. Memorandum of Understanding kickstarts commercial negotiations to agree the reservation of a dedicated area for Corio at Port of Açu. The port is a potential strategic hub for Brazil’s emergent offshore wind sector. 27 March 2024, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Global offshore… Read more »
Merganser receives certification from Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas Awards World’s First Prototype Certification for SolarDuck’s Floating Offshore Solar Solution Bureau Veritas (BV), a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), has awarded the Dutch-Norwegian renewable energy company SolarDuck the world’s first Prototype Certification for a floating offshore solar technology, as applied in SolarDuck’s 0.5 MW pilot “Merganser”. This certification represents… Read more »
Aerones Launches Autonomous Drone Inspection Service for Wind Turbine Blades
Rovco expands offshore wind and decommissioning capabilities with new specialist vessel
World’s Largest Tonnage and Highest Lift Wheeled Crane Completes Its First Lift in Hengshui, China
APRIL 8TH ECLIPSE COULD COST AMERICA MORE SOLAR GENERATION THAN ANY ECLIPSE PREVIOUSLY
Online Magazine Reader
- Solar/PV
- Wind
- China