\n\tGT Advanced Technologies Inc., Merrimack, N.J., announces that solar modules incorporating its new Merlin metallization and interconnect technology have met the requirements of several PV industry certification standards. With Merlin technology, segmented silver fingers are printed onto the cell, and a flexible plated copper grid is attached to the segmented fingers on top of the solar cell, replacing the three traditional silver busbars and cutting panel weight by almost 50%.<\/p>\n
\n\tA key component of Merlin is the flexible grid that replaces the three silver bus bars. The novel attributes of the technology are expected to significantly reduce the amount of expensive silver paste while improving panel efficiency. The resulting modules are expected to be more reliable and durable and enable form factors that are lighter and easier to handle, resulting in lower shipment and installation costs.<\/span><\/p>\n