Kyocera solar roof with maximum quality standard for Toyota Prius

Rafael Schröer, Industrial Engineer and Managing Director of Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH Photo: C. Vohler, Munich Source: Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH, copies may be made at no charge

Schröer: “It was the first time for Kyocera that a solar module has been produced for the automotive sector. This is an area of application that places especially high quality requirements on the module. In order to develop this special product, we founded the project group ‘T-Pro’ in 2006, which consists of experts dealing exclusively with this topic.”

Schröer: “A solar roof in a car calls for even higher quality standards than those required for a single-family home. Using stringent tests, we are able to guarantee the heat resistance as well as the vibration and impact strength demanded from our solar module while the Toyota Prius is in motion. During these tests, we surpass the officially required standards and are thus able to ensure an outstandingly long service life for the product. “

Photo: Kyocera Source: Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH, copies may be made at no charge

Schröer: “A private car is not only a means of transport. This is why, alongside functionality and quality, design is another particularly crucial factor. Our task was to integrate the solar module harmoniously into the silhouette of the Prius. Generally the coloration within a solar module tends to be irregular and hence difficult to determine. To ensure an aesthetic appearance, we have been able to achieve an absolutely uniform navy blue coloration in our module for the Prius. The silver electrodes affixed to the surface demanded high-precision engineering. To prevent these from interfering with the appearance, thin black strips are applied to cover them. If they do not fit exactly, the strips lie above the solar cells, which has a detrimental effect on efficiency. In addition to colour, the curved shape of the module also requires attention and a special sealing laminate has been developed for this application. All in all, the Prius module is a true masterpiece of engineering.”

Schröer: “Expertise of this kind does not appear from nowhere. More than 30 years of experience and hard work in the production of solar modules provide the foundation for our high-quality products. Kyocera is one of the few companies in the market to carry out all production steps itself, from casting the silicon to assembling the module, without buying in any intermediate products. This enables us to apply complete quality control.”