In a little more than one week GT Advanced Technologies has secured IEC 61215 and IEC 61730-1 and -2 certification from TÜV SÜD, as well as UL1703 certification for modules using its Merlin metallization and interconnection technology.
The two tests look at the long-term reliability of silicon-based modules, and GT says that this is an important milestone for the technology. Both of these are critical certifications for modules in order to be used in installations, explains GT Senior Marketing Director Jeff Nestel-Patt.
Certification testing was performed by the Renewable Energy Test Center, and conformance with the standards was verified by the Canadian Standards Association and TÜV SÜD.
GT plans to roll out Merlin on a commercial basis in 2015. The company is already working with strategic partners on the technology and says that it will realize revenue from Merlin as early as the third quarter of 2014.
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Merlin replaces the silver busbars on crystalline silicon PV cells with a custom copper mesh on the front and back. GT cites many advantages to this technology, including reduced silver usage, the potential to better evacuate electricity from PV cells, more durable interconnections, as well as the potential for lighter weight and more durable modules.
Merlin is one of three copper mesh interconnection solutions to replace silver busbars that are being introduced in the PV market, joining Meyer Burger's SmartWire and Schmid's Multi Busbar Connector.
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