Solar cell string layup system and method

A system for layup of a solar cell string on a substrate comprising:

• a robotic arm;
• a pickbar attached to a free end of the robotic arm for gripping a solar cell string, the pickbar having an elongated body with a plurality of vacuum grippers spaced along the body each for gripping an individual solar cell of the solar cell string;
• a vacuum source in fluid communication with the vacuum grippers and applying a vacuum through the vacuum grippers to grip the solar cells;
• and
• a controller connected to the robotic arm for positioning the solar cell string gripped by the pickbar on a substrate.

A method for layup of a solar cell string on a substrate comprising the steps of:

• providing a pickbar having an elongated body with a plurality of vacuum grippers and a sensor assembly mounted thereon;
• positioning the pickbar adjacent a solar cell string and applying vacuum to the vacuum grippers to grip the solar cell string;
• moving the pickbar to position the solar cell string adjacent a surface of a substrate;
• operating the sensor assembly to generate a signal representing a position of a portion of the solar cell string and a feature of the substrate;
• and
• moving the pickbar in response to the signal to place the solar cell string at a desired position on the substrate and releasing the solar cell string from the pickbar by removing the vacuum.