Page 64 - Glass-Technology International no. 2/2017

RELIABILITY OF TPEDGE MODULES SUCCESSFULLY TESTED

measured. The hail resistance was also examined ABOUT BYSTRONIC
with the modules with a reduced glass thickness
also being successfully tested. Critical areas of the Bystronic is an international brand with globally operating companies that support
module such as glass edges, were subjected to 25 their customers on site and through sales and service companies. Bystronic
millimetre large hailstones. The modules passed the symbolizes innovation with machinery, systems and services for the processing
test without any damage and it was also possible to of architectural and automotive glass focussed on tomorrow’s market. From
basic requirements through to entire customized installations Bystronic provides
use the same units for other tests.
pioneering solutions – naturally, all in the highest quality. Since 1994, Bystronic is
Considerable cost savings
part of the Conzzeta AG, a renowned Swiss industrial holding company.
Models for the calculation of the Cost of Owner-
Web Site: www.bystonic-glass.com

ship were developed at the Fraunhofer ISE
and used to calculate the specific module
costs (Euros versus wattage produced) for
both TPedge and relevant competitive mod-
ule technologies.
“The specific module costs of the TPedge
module concept are around 2.2 percent be-
low those for the conventional glass-film lam-
inate”, said Max Mittag.
“These cost reductions are especially achieved
by the lower material costs that account for
around 90 percent of the total module pro-
duction costs,” added Tobias Neff.
TPedge saves approximately 22 percent
(without solar cells) or 7.5 percent (with solar
cells) in material costs when compared with
conventional modules. TPedge also saves ap-
proximately 15.4 percent (without solar cells)
of the material costs when compared with
glass-glass laminates.
The TPedge project started at the beginning
of 2013 and was supported by the German
Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
(BMWi). The Fraunhofer ISE and their pro-
ject partner Bystronic glass successfully de-
veloped the TPedge module technology and
industrial production possibilities further.

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nic glass
Bystronic glass

Becau
www.bystronic-glass.com
62 Glass-Technology International 2/2017