Soltech Enhances Production with Digital Manufacturing Platform
Pioneering photovoltaic innovation with 24Flow
Soltech is a leading innovator in photovoltaic-based building materials.
Soltech offers a diverse range of products, including Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV), Infrastructure Integrated Photovoltaics (IIPV), and Product Integrated Photovoltaics (PIPV).
Operating from its state-of-the-art, semi-automated, and energy-neutral production facilities in Genk, Belgium, Soltech merges high-tech manufacturing with cutting-edge research and development, ensuring top-tier quality and innovation.
A vision for the future
Soltech has chosen 24Flow’s shopfloor operations platform with a vision to turn challenges into opportunities. This was no ordinary upgrade, it was a commitment to rethinking how production worked.
With the support of PDM, Soltech identified five key objectives to transform its operations:
- Enhance visibility of every aspect of production.
- Structured work preparation to facilitate effective routing.
- Quality tracking for every product, from raw material to delivery.
- Improved traceability throughout the production process.
- Detailed cost logging to improve project profitability.
For Soltech’s management, the transformation wasn’t just about introducing a new tool, it was about changing how the organization operated and how teams collaborated on the shopfloor.
Digital journey through collaboration
Digital transformation is a journey that is as much about people as it is about technology. Implementing 24Flow meant rethinking every production step and ensuring all employees, from operators to management, embraced the change.
24Flow always focuses on a hands-on approach.
- Tailored solutions. Each product’s production route was mapped, digitized and optimized. Subassemblies are prepared in time and in the right quantity to ensure smooth production.
- Real-time tracking. Solar panels are traced with serial numbers scanned at every stage, ensuring accountability and time tracking down to the minute.
- Integrated quality control. Products that fail quality inspection automatically move into a rework workflow, minimizing waste.
- Actionable insights. Management uses real-time dashboards and reports to make informed decisions, improving both daily operations and long-term strategy.
WHEN SOLAR INNOVATION MEETS DIGITAL EFFICIENCY
“At 24Flow, we believe that any digital transformation needs to be supported by the entire organisation. By immersing ourselves in the day-to-day operations, we uncover the real pain points and opportunities to improve, both short- and long-term. By addressing key operational inefficiencies early on, we not only boost productivity but also build trust and enthusiasm across all levels of the organization. When employees experience the benefits firsthand, whether it’s streamlined workflows, fewer errors, or less escalations, they’re more likely to embrace the tool and its long-term potential.”, explains Piet Vandaele from 24Flow.
Key characteristics
Deployment at Soltech
Soltech’s transformation wasn’t just about fixing internal inefficiencies, it also boosted the quality culture. The company earned an ISO 9001 certification, not just as a badge of honor but as a testament to its renewed commitment to quality and operational excellence.
High-mix, low-volume
Every solar panel project is different.
Any device technology
Soltech works with scanners, mobile phones and laptops.
Seamless integration
Seamless integration with Soltech’s ERP and label printers.
Low-code architecture
24Flow’s modularity and low-code architecture accelerate time-to-value.
A blueprint for the future
We believe that transformation is not just about technology, it’s about creating a shared mindset that empowers teams.
Soltech’s journey highlights what’s possible when technology and teamwork come together. With 24Flow’s shopfloor operations platform, Soltech has set the standard for innovation in photovoltaic manufacturing, and it’s only the beginning.
As Wim Hoste reflects, “Digitalization has changed the way we think and operate. It’s not just a tool, it’s a foundation for our growth.” For 24Flow, it’s a mission to turn today’s blueprints into sustainable, long-term success stories.
A blueprint for the future
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ABOUT US
24Flow is a modular shop floor management and production scheduling platform that empowers discrete manufacturers to reduce lead times through digital support of operators and management. Inspired by lean and QRM, 24Flow controls the flow of production orders which increases visibility and results in shorter lead times, improved delivery reliability and a reduction of work-in-progress and inventory.