[May 19, 2011] KUKA Systems enters Canadian solar panel manufacturing sector Tweet May 19, 2011 (Datamonitor via COMTEX) -- KUKA Systems North America has made an entry into the Canadian solar panel manufacturing sector, demonstrating in the process how it can adapt its suite of automated production solutions to a panel maker's requirements. KUKA Systems provides photovoltaic panel manufacturers around the world with fully automated production lines or any level of automation short of that, from cell layout through all stages of module assembly and quality control, regardless of type or dimensions. For its first Canadian customer, KUKA Systems is installing three partially automated, post-lamination framing lines for trimming, framing, testing and packout of photovoltaic panels, a $12 million contract. Each line consists of five robots, as well as applicators, conveyors and other handling and testing equipment. Installation began in the first quarter of 2011. This customer is building a solar panel manufacturing plant, in southern Ontario. Each line will be capable of handling 120MW of annual production, making it as a manufacturing site for crystalline silicon-type panels. "This is a landmark contract, one of our largest in North America to date and our first solar-related installation in the small but rapidly growing Canadian solar manufacturing sector," says Robert Giaier, vice president, Alternative Energy, KUKA Systems Corp North America. "We welcome the opportunity to contribute our solar technology and extensive experience as assembly line integrators to our customer's success." The post-lamination lines were built first at KUKA Systems North America, tested in-house, then disassembled and trucked to the customer's facility where they are being reassembled. The technical requirements for electrical systems definitely are more stringent in a number of ways, covering transformers, special wiring and other safety considerations. http://www.datamonitor.com Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]