Multi-grade Automatic Solar Cell EL+IV Tester

The Multi-grade Automatic Solar Cell EL+IV Tester is a highly integrated key piece of equipment for photovoltaic cell production. It can fully automate the loading/unloading, transfer, positioning, Electroluminescence (EL) defect inspection (identifying micro-cracks, broken fingers, contamination, etc.), and Current-Voltage (IV) characterization (precisely measuring core electrical parameters such as efficiency, power, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, etc.) of solar cells on a single machine. Based on preset multi-grade criteria (such as efficiency, power, color, appearance grade, etc.), it automatically and precisely sorts and classifies the cells. This equipment significantly enhances the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of cell testing and sorting, reduces manual intervention and breakage rates, and is a core automated asset for ensuring cell quality and meeting the demand for efficient module matching.

Product Features

• Integrated: Combines EL inspection + IV testing + automatic sorting functions into one system.

• Automated: Automatic loading/unloading, transfer, testing, and sorting, minimizing manual labor.

• Dual Detection:

  • EL Inspection: Non-destructive optical inspection, revealing internal defects (micro-cracks, broken fingers, fragments, contamination, process anomalies, etc.).

  • IV Testing: Precisely measures key electrical performance parameters (Eff, Pmpp, Voc, Isc, FF, etc.).

• Multi-grade Sorting: Classifies cells with high precision based on comprehensive preset criteria including EL results (appearance grade, defect type) and IV test results (efficiency, power grade).

• Efficient & Precise: High-speed testing and sorting (typically reaching thousands of pieces per hour), delivering reliable and consistent results.

• Core Value: Enhances cell production efficiency and quality control, laying the foundation for efficient subsequent module stringing and precise power matching.

Technical Specifications

Product Applications

• PV Cell Manufacturing Plants: This is the primary application field, used for quality control and performance grading at the final stage of the cell production process.

• Cell Performance Grading: Core application! Utilizes IV testing to precisely measure the electrical performance parameters (efficiency, power, etc.) of each cell and automatically sorts them into different performance grades based on preset fine criteria (e.g., 0.1% efficiency intervals).

• Cell Defect Detection and Sorting: Core application! Uses EL inspection like "X-ray" to rapidly and non-destructively identify cells with internal defects (e.g., micro-cracks, broken fingers, contamination, process flaws), automatically rejecting non-conforming products or classifying them by appearance grade.

• Pre-module Production Matching: Ensures cells flowing to the module stringing process have highly consistent electrical performance (same grade) and qualified appearance (no severe defects). This is a key prerequisite for manufacturing efficient, high-power, and highly reliable solar modules.

• Enhancing Module Power and Yield: Prevents low-efficiency cells from dragging down the power output of entire strings; eliminates defective cells with potential risks (e.g., micro-cracks), preventing them from forming hotspots in modules, reducing module failure risk, and improving long-term reliability.

• Enabling Automated Production Lines: As a key piece of equipment at the end of cell manufacturing, it integrates loading/unloading, EL inspection, IV testing, and automatic sorting functions, achieving full automation from testing to sorting and significantly improving production efficiency.

• Reducing Production Costs: Reduces the need for manual inspection and sorting, saving labor costs; automated operation minimizes cell breakage during handling; precise grading optimizes cell value, maximizing module output benefits.

Precautions

• Safety First:

  • The equipment involves high voltage (IV testing). Operation and maintenance must strictly adhere to safety regulations, wearing protective gear.

  • Ensure the equipment is reliably grounded to prevent electric shock risks.

  • Do not open electrical cabinets or adjust laser sources without authorization by non-professionals.

• Environmental Guarantee:

  • Must operate in a clean, constant temperature and humidity environment (typically temperature 23±2°C, humidity <60%, dust-free). Environmental fluctuations severely affect IV test accuracy and EL image quality.

  • Avoid strong direct light (especially interfering with EL imaging) and vibration sources.

• Calibration & Accuracy Maintenance:

  • IV Test Unit: Must be calibrated regularly (as per manufacturer requirements, e.g., per shift, daily) using standard reference cells to ensure absolute accuracy of power, efficiency, and other electrical parameter measurements. This is the core basis for grading!

  • EL Inspection Unit: Regularly clean lenses, calibrate light source uniformity, and adjust camera focus to guarantee defect recognition clarity and consistency.

• Material & Operating Specifications:

  • Ensure loaded cell specifications (size, thickness) comply with the equipment design requirements.

  • Operate loading/unloading correctly to avoid human-induced impacts causing breakage or introducing new defects.

  • Use the designated carriers (cassettes, trays) to ensure precise positioning.

• Key Daily Maintenance:

  • Clean! Clean! Clean! Regularly clean dust, fragments, and oxides from transfer tracks, suction cups, probes, lenses, and sensors (oxidized probes cause poor contact and inaccurate IV testing).

  • Lubricate moving parts as required by the manual.

  • Clear sorting cassettes promptly to prevent overflow causing breakage or machine stoppage.

• Software & Data:

  • Regularly back up sorting rules, test parameters, and equipment operation logs.

  • After software upgrades or parameter modifications, verify test results and sorting accuracy.

  • Monitor equipment alarm information and handle abnormalities promptly.

• Probe Maintenance:

  • IV test probes are critical consumables. Regularly check for wear, clean, or replace them to ensure good contact with the cell busbars. Poor contact is a major source of IV test errors.

• Handling Equipment Anomalies:

  • If encountering abnormal test result fluctuations, increased sorting error rates, sudden increase in breakage rate, unusual noises, or alarms, stop the machine immediately for inspection. Contact professional maintenance personnel; do not disassemble core components yourself.