News vFinal DR 2/9/09 11:12 Page 11
TECHNOLOGYNEWS
Solar specific materials
Shin-Etsu Chemical has introduced a Shin-Etsu Chemical’s new silicone-based
range of products specifically designed potting materials weatherproof solar panel
for the PV (photovoltaic) and solar junction boxes, protecting the valuable
marketplace. For thin film solar cell device electronics encapsulated inside. These
manufacturing, Shin-Etsu now offers materials quickly cure at room
customized PBN (Pyrolytic Boron Nitride) temperature and after curing, make the
crucibles, boats and other products for junction box both corrosion and moisture
copper, indium, gallium and selenide proof. Other benefits include: superior
(CIGS) film deposition processes. Both adhesion (no reversion or delamination), back sheet of the solar module helps
PBN coated graphite and pure PBN parts high dielectric breakdown strength (for increase the overall efficiency of the
offer high purity and stability with very better voltage control), and excellent module. Once applied, the tape offers
limited outgassing. These ceramic parts repairability. superior handling, high peeling-shear
are high heat and thermal shock resistant strength and can be easily reworked.
with excellent thermal insulation. PBN is Shin-Etsu sealing materials, for sealing
chemically stable and non-toxic. It is either the junction box or the PV panel to These materials have been introduced to
resistant to oxidation while impurities are the frame, offer superior lap shear the European and Asian marketplaces
almost non-detectable. strength, fast tack-free/skin-over cure, and are now available to the US market
color and clarity stability and cohesion through Shin-Etsu MicroSi in Phoenix,
Shin-Etsu also offers PBN/PG (Pyrolytic both before and after curing. Arizona. All the materials adhere to IEC
Graphite) heaters and PBN coated Double Stick Thermal Tape (International Electrotechnical
graphite heaters for application specific Shin-Etsu double stick thermal tape for Commission) design and safety
solar requirements. thermal diffusion of the substrate on the standards.
BackSheet protection
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BioSolar, a developer of bio based “BioSolar’s goal is to reduce the costs of challenge of developing a backsheet with
www
materials from renewable plant sources, solar modules and make solar energy a water vapour transmission rate of
.solar
has announced that the company has greener by replacing petroleum based essentially zero but also the initial pilot
recently filed a patent application to module components with bio-based line run of this backsheet was highly
-pv-management.com
protect the innovations behind its materials made from renewable plant successful.
proprietary BioBacksheet, a bio-based sources,” said Dr. David Lee, CEO of
backsheet featuring an absolute moisture BioSolar. “Patent filing and protection of BioSolar’s complete line of backsheets
barrier for the thin film solar cell market. our intellectual property is an important meet or exceed the characteristics of
BioBacksheet is a three layer laminate milestone as we continue toward full- various testing and performance
film consisting of a 100 percent recyclable scale commercial production for many of standards for the photovoltaic industry
aluminium foil centre core sandwiched the company’s new products.” and are expected to cost significantly less
Issue IV 2009
between two outer layers of bio-based than petroleum-based films currently in
polymer films, making it a unique product This patent filing follows the recent news use by the majority of solar module
in the industry. that BioSolar has not only accepted the manufacturers today.
Dupont sees sunny future
DuPont has provided additional details of “This investment supports the significant
an expansion for its DuPont Tedlar increase in the global market demand for
polyvinylfluoride (PVF) product line. This clean, renewable energy,” said Dave
phase represents more than $120 million Miller, group vice president at DuPont
in investment which increases by more Electronic & Communication
than 50% the capacity of monomer and Technologies. “Our capacity expansions
resin used in producing Tedlar films. are critical steps in growing the Tedlar
Tedlar PVF films have been a component business and maintaining our market
of photovoltaic back sheets for more than leadership in back sheets for solar panels
25 years, and are recognised as the that deliver the long-term, reliable power
industry standard due to its strength, supply that our customers have come to
weather resistance, ultraviolet resistance expect from their investment in renewable
and moisture barrier properties. power generation.”
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