The First in Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulants

Transcription

1 First in Solar Encapsulant Development & Innovation Prominent polymer scientists joined together in 1945 to create the first dedicated plastics research and development firm in the United States. The company rapidly gained a reputation for innovation of engineered compounds and technical service for the burgeoning plastics industry. In the early 199 s, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc increased capacity once again and continued its refinement of EVA-based PV encapsulants, launching products with unsurpassed long term photo-thermal stability, faster curing capability, and dimensional stability. The trademark was launched and encapsulants remain as the technical standard for excellence in the PV solar industry globally. In the new millennium, STR strategically committed to become a In the 197 s, this vast knowledge base in polymeric materials global manufacturing firm to better serve its growing customer base was used to create the company s most important innovation - the in Europe and Asia. Together with a rigorously trained manufacturdevelopment of encapsulants for terrestrial ing group, the entire STR company focuses on photovoltaic modules. The original PV In the world of PV, what man the efficient and timely delivery of its products to encapsulant development program evalua global customer base. endeavors to make permaated hundreds of polymeric materials and modifier combinations, and included years nent, Mother Nature strives Today, STR is committed to global leadership of advanced weathering studies. to destroy. Combine intense having strategically placed manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. UV and brutal temperature STR polymer scientists strive to develop more The outcome of the program was clear: modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer swings with wind and water, advanced formulations and product configu(eva) represented the very best combiin all of its fury, and you ve rations that are leveraged by a deep-rooted nation of performance and cost, easily network of shared product and application got a formidable adversary out-performing other materials including knowledge, global manufacturing standards, silicones, urethanes, acrylics, PVB, working hard to take your emphasis on sound quality control, and a strong ionomers, etc. commitment to customer relationships. modules out of commission. In the early 198 s, the demand for its EVA became so strong that the company decided to make a significant commitment to the expansion of its manufacturing operation, investing in production-scale equipment and infrastructure. STR then committed to provide technical service to solar start-ups. STR Manufacturing Locations STR-Somers, CT 24 Scitico Road Somers, CT 671 Phone: STR-St. Augustine, FL 3 Iroquois Street St. Augustine, FL 3286 Phone: Fax: STR-Spain Parque Tecnologico de Asturias, parcela Llanera, Asturias Spain Phone: Fax: STR-Malaysia Plot 2, Jalan Tanjung A/3 Port of Tanjung Pelepas 8156 Gelang Patah, Johor Malaysia Phone: Fax: Specialized Technology Resources, Inc continues to invest heavily in the research and development of key materials used in the solar PV industry. We work with intense determination to offer customer-focused product offerings by combining a broad range of chemistries and product dimensions to remain the industry leader in quality and reliability. The First in Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulants STR-Enfield, CT (Corporate Office & Manufacturing) 1 Water Street Enfield, CT 682 Phone: The information, statements and recommendations contained herein are based on information, data, reports or tests believed to be reliable. However, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. makes no warranty or guarantee of accuracy or completeness in connection therewith, nor, with respect to any Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. products involved, any warranty or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. QMFZ2:E31488 ISO Certification ISO 91: 28 STR, US ISO 91: 2 STR, Spain

2 First in Solar Encapsulant Development & Innovation Prominent polymer scientists joined together in 1945 to create the first dedicated plastics research and development firm in the United States. The company rapidly gained a reputation for innovation of engineered compounds and technical service for the burgeoning plastics industry. In the early 199 s, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc increased capacity once again and continued its refinement of EVA-based PV encapsulants, launching products with unsurpassed long term photo-thermal stability, faster curing capability, and dimensional stability. The trademark was launched and encapsulants remain as the technical standard for excellence in the PV solar industry globally. In the new millennium, STR strategically committed to become a In the 197 s, this vast knowledge base in polymeric materials global manufacturing firm to better serve its growing customer base was used to create the company s most important innovation - the in Europe and Asia. Together with a rigorously trained manufacturdevelopment of encapsulants for terrestrial ing group, the entire STR company focuses on photovoltaic modules. The original PV In the world of PV, what man the efficient and timely delivery of its products to encapsulant development program evalua global customer base. endeavors to make permaated hundreds of polymeric materials and modifier combinations, and included years nent, Mother Nature strives Today, STR is committed to global leadership of advanced weathering studies. to destroy. Combine intense having strategically placed manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. UV and brutal temperature STR polymer scientists strive to develop more The outcome of the program was clear: modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer swings with wind and water, advanced formulations and product configu(eva) represented the very best combiin all of its fury, and you ve rations that are leveraged by a deep-rooted nation of performance and cost, easily network of shared product and application got a formidable adversary out-performing other materials including knowledge, global manufacturing standards, silicones, urethanes, acrylics, PVB, working hard to take your emphasis on sound quality control, and a strong ionomers, etc. commitment to customer relationships. modules out of commission. In the early 198 s, the demand for its EVA became so strong that the company decided to make a significant commitment to the expansion of its manufacturing operation, investing in production-scale equipment and infrastructure. STR then committed to provide technical service to solar start-ups. STR Manufacturing Locations STR-Somers, CT 24 Scitico Road Somers, CT 671 Phone: STR-St. Augustine, FL 3 Iroquois Street St. Augustine, FL 3286 Phone: Fax: STR-Spain Parque Tecnologico de Asturias, parcela Llanera, Asturias Spain Phone: Fax: STR-Malaysia Plot 2, Jalan Tanjung A/3 Port of Tanjung Pelepas 8156 Gelang Patah, Johor Malaysia Phone: Fax: Specialized Technology Resources, Inc continues to invest heavily in the research and development of key materials used in the solar PV industry. We work with intense determination to offer customer-focused product offerings by combining a broad range of chemistries and product dimensions to remain the industry leader in quality and reliability. The First in Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulants STR-Enfield, CT (Corporate Office & Manufacturing) 1 Water Street Enfield, CT 682 Phone: The information, statements and recommendations contained herein are based on information, data, reports or tests believed to be reliable. However, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. makes no warranty or guarantee of accuracy or completeness in connection therewith, nor, with respect to any Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. products involved, any warranty or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. QMFZ2:E31488 ISO Certification ISO 91: 28 STR, US ISO 91: 2 STR, Spain

3 Encapsulant Technology Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. (STR) was the first in encapsulant development and is the industry leader of providing the highest quality encapsulants for the solar industry. STR s technology provides non-shrink lamination, electrical isolation, physical protection, and thermal conduction for solar circuits to maximize the life of solar cells. Our advanced additive technology in provides structural integrity to the PV module to prevent physical property degradation. The proper selection of the encapsulant can greatly improve PV module lamination cycles, in addition to increasing adhesion to glass, PV substrates, and module substrates (e.g. backsheets). (1)(4) PV Encapsulant Typical Properties Guide Product Base Polymer Family Light Transmittance (%) UV Cut-off (nm) Melting Point (ºC) Ultimate Tensile Strength (PSI) Break (%) 1% Secant Modulus (PSI) Shore A/D Hardness Thermal Shrinkage % Water Absorption (%) A9918P/UF (2)(3) EVA /21 <.1 FC28P/UF (2)(3) EVA /22 < P/UF (2)(3) EVA /21 <.1 EVA /21 < P/UF (2)(3) 15435P/UF (2)(3) EVA /21 < Thermoplastic Opaque N/A /2.5 User-Friendly (UF) Technology With speed comes shrinkage of the EVA during lamination. STR uses a unique technology called User-Friendly (UF) which provides a stress-free, non-shrink encapsulant, for any formulation. Since UF-manufactured encapsulant products do not shrink during lamination, the possibilityof void formation induced by shrinkage is eliminated and more aggressive temperature ramping during lamination can be tolerated, permitting higher throughput. Air bubbles result from EVA shrinkage during lamination. Cells and ribbons can shift. STR User Friendly (UF) Technology results in no shrinkage. Competitive materials shrink during lamination.

4 Enhanced Photothermal Stability STR encapsulants are designed to provide maximum light transmittance (91-93%) over the UV-visible spectrum (36nm cut-off). Module manufacturers work to optimize lamination conditions enabling chemistry to do its work. The result is an encapsulant that provides high light transmission and negligible yellowing over time Glass Adhesion (lb/in) Yellowness Index Xenon Arc Weatherometer Weeks Dielectric Strength (V/mil) Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) Refractive Index x A9918P/UF FC28P/UF 15295P/UF 1542P/UF 15435P/UF % Transmission Encapsulant Features 2 Light Transmission Wavelength A9918P: Original EVA-based encapsulant offering from STR. A standard-cure formulation P/UF 1542P/UF 15295P/UF Competitive A Competitive B x FC 28P/UF: Fast-cure EVA formulation with enhanced photothermal stability x P/UF: The first fast-cure, low shrink EVA encapsulant introduced to the market x x x 1 15 N/A 1542P/UF: Ultra fast-cure EVA encapsulant with improved curing kinetics and photothermal stability; serves as the industry standard low shrink EVA, ultra-fast curing EVA encapsulant around the world P/UF: Fastest curing kinetics of any commercial EVA encapsulant. 25% reduced lamination cycle time. Global acceptance : A new thin film encapsulant in a family of thermoplastic encapsulants. Designed for behind the device thin film PV modules for maximum environmental protection. Low moisture absorption results in low current leakage in unframed modules. It is recyclable! Damp Heat Damp heat will reduce adhesion properties of encapsulants, but the critical result is the absolute and net loss in adhesion over 1hrs. STR s EVA encapsulants result in better absolute and net loss adhesion versus competitive alternatives thermoplastic encapsulant was superior in the field. Adhesion (lb/ft2) A9918P/UF (1) encapsulant packaging is available in two forms: (a) Standard Packaging allowing for a shelf life of six months; (b) Premium Packaging allowing for a shelf life of nine months. All EVA encapsulants in open packages should be consumed within twenty-four hours of opening. (2) encapsulants come with a primer additive (P) for easy PV module lay-up. (3) encapsulants can be processed with an STR proprietary technology to yield User-Friendly (UF) non-shrink-properties during PV module lamination. (4) Most products are available laminated to various materials such as non-woven fiberglass scrim, TPE, TPT, ETFE, and other alternative module superstrate and substrate materials. Laminated encapsulants facilitate automation and/or increase efficiency in the manual lay-up process, while offering a wider process window. (5) encapsulants are offered in many dimensions to meet module size differences. Encapsulant thickness capabilities range from.3mm to.9mm, encapsulant widths up to 2 meters, and roll lengths up to 25 meters designed to maximize transportation payload efficiency P/UF 1542P/UF Adhesion Properties (1 Hours Damp Heat) 15435P/UF Competitive A Competitive B Initial 1 Hours DH

5 The First in Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulants EVA Solar Encapsulant STR has invested heavily in developing materials that process quickly during lamination, now offering materials such as 15435P/ UF, that requires only a 3 minute pump and a 5 minute press to yield 89% gel content is a newly developed technological advancement in PV encapsulants has been chemically formulated where higher crosslink density is achievable yielding higher gel content values while reducing laminator cycle times. Higher crosslink density translates to higher light transmission, excellent UV protection, and combined with User Friendly (UF) non-shrink technology, will lead to greater module efficiency. Gel Content (%) Gel Content vs. Cycle Time* 13C 135C 14C 145C 15C Temperature C 3 pump + 2 press 3 pump + 5 press 3 pump + 1 press *Guide Only 11 Oscillating Disc Rheometer 14ºC 13 Oscillating Disc Rheometer 15ºC Torque (Micro Newtons Meter) P/UF 1542P/UF FC28P/UF 15295P/UF A9918P/UF Torque (Micro Newtons Meter) P/UF 15295P/UF A9918P/UF 1542P/UF FC28P/UF Time (seconds) Time (seconds) Thermoplastic Solar Encapsulant Thermoplastic Encapsulants with zero shrinkage thermoplastic PV encapsulant is the latest, innovative development for PV module construction. Succeeding with STR s mastered intellectual property, thermoplastic encapsulant provides unparalleled moisture protection for thin film substrate deposition can contribute to advanced cost performance and in certain applications reduce other moisture barrier component costs, lowering cost/watt module economics and enhance module operating efficiency and reliability thermoplastic encapsulant provides unparalleled moisture protection in glass/glass thin film module construction delivers lower moisture vapor transmission and lower moisture absorption in thin film applications which can reduce wet current leakage failure is vastly superior to PVB in WVTR. Hence, with a module an even smaller edge deletion zone should be possible. This means more active PV area and higher power output does not shrink and will provide tight adhesion tolerances against the edge delete for greater operating efficiency does not have to be stored in a cold environment. % Moisture Uptake vs. Temperature Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate 4 C 23 C 4 C EVA PVB

6 First in Solar Encapsulant Development & Innovation Prominent polymer scientists joined together in 1945 to create the first dedicated plastics research and development firm in the United States. The company rapidly gained a reputation for innovation of engineered compounds and technical service for the burgeoning plastics industry. In the early 199 s, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc increased capacity once again and continued its refinement of EVA-based PV encapsulants, launching products with unsurpassed long term photo-thermal stability, faster curing capability, and dimensional stability. The trademark was launched and encapsulants remain as the technical standard for excellence in the PV solar industry globally. In the new millennium, STR strategically committed to become a In the 197 s, this vast knowledge base in polymeric materials global manufacturing firm to better serve its growing customer base was used to create the company s most important innovation - the in Europe and Asia. Together with a rigorously trained manufacturdevelopment of encapsulants for terrestrial ing group, the entire STR company focuses on photovoltaic modules. The original PV In the world of PV, what man the efficient and timely delivery of its products to encapsulant development program evalua global customer base. endeavors to make permaated hundreds of polymeric materials and modifier combinations, and included years nent, Mother Nature strives Today, STR is committed to global leadership of advanced weathering studies. to destroy. Combine intense having strategically placed manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. UV and brutal temperature STR polymer scientists strive to develop more The outcome of the program was clear: modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer swings with wind and water, advanced formulations and product configu(eva) represented the very best combiin all of its fury, and you ve rations that are leveraged by a deep-rooted nation of performance and cost, easily network of shared product and application got a formidable adversary out-performing other materials including knowledge, global manufacturing standards, silicones, urethanes, acrylics, PVB, working hard to take your emphasis on sound quality control, and a strong ionomers, etc. commitment to customer relationships. modules out of commission. In the early 198 s, the demand for its EVA became so strong that the company decided to make a significant commitment to the expansion of its manufacturing operation, investing in production-scale equipment and infrastructure. STR then committed to provide technical service to solar start-ups. STR Manufacturing Locations STR-Somers, CT 24 Scitico Road Somers, CT 671 Phone: STR-St. Augustine, FL 3 Iroquois Street St. Augustine, FL 3286 Phone: Fax: STR-Spain Parque Tecnologico de Asturias, parcela Llanera, Asturias Spain Phone: Fax: STR-Malaysia Plot 2, Jalan Tanjung A/3 Port of Tanjung Pelepas 8156 Gelang Patah, Johor Malaysia Phone: Fax: Specialized Technology Resources, Inc continues to invest heavily in the research and development of key materials used in the solar PV industry. We work with intense determination to offer customer-focused product offerings by combining a broad range of chemistries and product dimensions to remain the industry leader in quality and reliability. The First in Solar Photovoltaic Encapsulants STR-Enfield, CT (Corporate Office & Manufacturing) 1 Water Street Enfield, CT 682 Phone: The information, statements and recommendations contained herein are based on information, data, reports or tests believed to be reliable. However, Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. makes no warranty or guarantee of accuracy or completeness in connection therewith, nor, with respect to any Specialized Technology Resources, Inc. products involved, any warranty or merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. QMFZ2:E31488 ISO Certification ISO 91: 28 STR, US ISO 91: 2 STR, Spain