Module & Panel, Test & Construction
K. Baert, imec
A novel approach is proposed for the module encapsulation of thin silicon back-contact solar cells. The concept differs from existing concepts by the fact that cells are mechanically fixed to the module glass prior to interconnection. The approach is compatible with the long-term trend to ultra-thin silicon solar cells and can lead to improved performance and reliability. As a next step in the module roadmap, we envisage an evolution toward module-level fabrication of wafer-based thin silicon solar cells.
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Bill Richardson, SOLON Corporation
In the PV industry’s never-ending quest to compete, the game of wringing cost out of every produced electron is played on many levels: module level, system level, cell level, etc. Sometimes (often) a cost saver on one level leads to a headache on one or more of the others. For example, using thinner cells means lower cost. It also likely means more fragility and consequently, higher breakage rates, a manufacturing headache to be sure. Or is that an opportunity? In the following article, Drs. Kris Baert, Jonathan Govaerts and Jef Poortmans of imec present their proposed elixir to the headache of incorporating ever-thinner silicon cells into modules.
William Richardson, SOLON Corporation
A clear and necessary trend in our industry has been toward the design of less and less expensive modules. And rightly so, yes? After all, as module costs decrease, so too should the cost of the energy derived from these modules. Often this cost savings is found in the form of utilizing less expensive materials. However, concentrating exclusively on material cost ignores all the remaining factors in the final levelized cost of energy, which is after all what really counts. In this section, Nikhil Bhiwankar of Saint-Gobain Solar argues it is better to consider the total system cost when choosing module material.
Nikhil Bhiwankar, Saint-Gobain Solar
Worldwide economic challenges, coupled with a relatively new environmental consciousness, have put the search for sustainable yet effective energy sources center stage. In the ever-evolving world of alternative energy, solar power has emerged as a viable solution to the world’s energy demand issues, generating power from a readily available source. Reliable and environmentally sound, the conversion of solar energy into electricity is now being used in various applications across the building, residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With advanced photovoltaic (PV) module designs, solar power can supply a considerable portion of a building’s energy needs, paying off the initial capital investment and approaching grid parity – the point at which renewable electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power.
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Ann Norris, Nick Powell, Barry Ketola, Dow Corning Corporation
The photovoltaic (PV) industry is growing rapidly as the demand for cleaner energy worldwide continues to increase. As the industry expands, it is critical that suitable material solutions are available to meet the numerous requirements including durability, performance, price, throughput and global availability. Silicone materials have been formulated into multiple products that have a long history of successful use in a wide variety of applications and industries, such as construction and electronics industries, and are an ideal product family to meet the needs in the PV module assembly market. This paper will overview the key requirements for materials as PV encapsulants and compares some key properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for this application and where appropriate will contrast them to organic ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant materials.
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William Richardson, SOLON Corporation
In our rapidly advancing market, PV encapsulants are literally the glue that holds this industry together; a yeoman’s task if ever there were one. Among other attributes, the material selected must be durable, allow for high transparency in the right wavelength regions, have low moisture absorption, have fast processing times and be easy to handle. Oh, and by the way, it should be inexpensive and readily available with a short lead time (that last bit is for all the supply chain managers out there).
