Solar technology company OPES Solutions and Europe's leading motorhome manufacturer Westfalia have developed a powerful solar solution for camper vans. This is the first time that large solar panels are part of the standard vehicle configuration of Westfalia motorhomes. They can be seamlessly integrated on the roof during production. The solution includes lightweight solar modules with a dark, embossed surface and the new production line in which the solar roofs are assembled in series. The line with an automated quality control and went into operation at the beginning of 2022 at the Westfalen Mobil GmbH site in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.The solar modules were developed for special requirements in collaboration with Fraunhofer CSP. They are frameless, particularly light and thin, yet can withstand extreme climate and constant vibration while in operation when on- and off-road driving. Another requirement is to ensure optimal yields, even in the case of shading and low irradiation, which is achieved through innovative cell interconnection and half-cell technology.Roof boxes or surfboards can still be transported on roof racks. The maximum peak power of 365 watt is supplied to the batteries through an efficient MPPT charge controller. The modules were first tested under laboratory conditions and then in tough field conditions. Customers can rely on mature technology by Westfalia.OPES Solutions has developed a customized assembly line for integrating the modules directly with the roof. The line ensures automated alignment and bonding on the roof to enable economical and reliable series production. The function and performance are tested and controlled in an automated production step to confirm high quality.
Solar technology company OPES Solutions and Europe's leading motorhome manufacturer Westfalia have developed a powerful solar solution for camper vans. This is the first time that large solar panels are part of the standard vehicle configuration of Westfalia motorhomes. They can be seamlessly integrated on the roof during production. The solution includes lightweight solar modules with a dark, embossed surface and the new production line in which the solar roofs are assembled in series. The line with an automated quality control and went into operation at the beginning of 2022 at the Westfalen Mobil GmbH site in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.The solar modules were developed for special requirements in collaboration with Fraunhofer CSP. They are frameless, particularly light and thin, yet can withstand extreme climate and constant vibration while in operation when on- and off-road driving. Another requirement is to ensure optimal yields, even in the case of shading and low irradiation, which is achieved through innovative cell interconnection and half-cell technology.Roof boxes or surfboards can still be transported on roof racks. The maximum peak power of 365 watt is supplied to the batteries through an efficient MPPT charge controller. The modules were first tested under laboratory conditions and then in tough field conditions. Customers can rely on mature technology by Westfalia.OPES Solutions has developed a customized assembly line for integrating the modules directly with the roof. The line ensures automated alignment and bonding on the roof to enable economical and reliable series production. The function and performance are tested and controlled in an automated production step to confirm high quality.
