Signet Solar's production line puts BrightView's tech to work

Petach Tikva, Israel-based BrightView Systems said today it has successfully integrated and validated its technology in Signet Solar’s production line.

Founded in 2007, BrightView Systems makes a wide area metrology (WAM) tool and mapping technology for thin-film photovoltaic manufacturers, such as Menlo Park, Calif.-based Signet Solar, which it says helps to maximize panel efficiency and achieve high-volume productivity.

"The BrightView solution fills a major gap in the industry's transition from pilot to mass production, providing true 24/7 in-line process monitoring while saving long and tedious off-line cycles and test panels," said Signet Solar’s Managing Director Gunter Ziegenbalg, in a news release.

Signet Solar makes large-area, thin-film photovoltaic modules for solar farms, large commercial installations, building integrated photovoltaics and remote habitation applications. It has manufacturing operations in Germany and India (see Signet Solar picks Chennai for India manufacturing plant and Signet Solar to make thin-film modules in India).

The WAM tool has been embedded in Signet’s production process in Mochau, Germany. Signet said the technology has helped it to have an automated, continuous panel monitoring process, and offers feedback to improve line productivity. The tool has also helped reduce reliance on off-line measurements and special test panel cycles. Financial details were not disclosed.

In January, BrightView raised $6 million in its Series A round from Israel Cleantech Ventures of Israel and Germany’s Hasso Plattner Ventures (see Solar soldiers on with new fundings).

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