A reader of this blog recently mentioned: "I am interested in what products could be sold by manufacturer's representatives." That is a large question, considering the evolution that we have come to expect in the solar industry. To answer that question involves first breaking up the industry into 2 separate sections, front and back end solar assembly. Front end assembly involves the process of making the solar cell. Back end involves connecting cells together and assembling them to create a useable device.
Both front and back end products are going to be geared to the customer's technology. For instance, if I was purchasing materials for a large thin-film manufacturing company and someone boldly offered me glass filled high-temperature metallization paste, I would tell them to come back when they know what they are talking about. (In reality, I'd be nice – even though it's an incredibly ignorant mistake.) With that in mind, let's focus on what back end products a representative might be offering for crystalline and thin film solar customers – assuming that back end begins after metallization:
- Outsourced Solar Cells
- Tabbing Ribbon
- Bus Ribbon
- Tabbing Flux
- Solder Paste
- Preforms
- Solder Wire
- Tacky-type Fluxes
- Tabbing Equipment
- Rework Equipment
- Test Equipment/Services
- Packaging Materials
- Junction Boxes
- Laminate Materials
- Silicone/Sealing Materials
- Passive Components
- Ovens
- Frames
- Gloves / Lab Coats / Safety Equipment
I probably left out as many possible line items as I included, but I hope you get the idea. Feel free to add the ones I forgot in the comment section below.
~Jim