Photovoltaics industry to produce 12GW by 2010, says iSuppli - 23 June 2008
Evergreen Solar gains follow-on order with groSolar - 24 June 2008
Ascent Solar mulls faster capacity ramp in 2009; evaluates overseas production - 02 July 2008
FPL plans 110MW of solar power plants in Florida - 26 June 2008
Global thin film production output to reach 3.5GW in 2010 - 27 June 2008
U.S. BLM backtracks on solar farm applications - 04 July 2008
Martin Hermann named as Chief Strategic Officer for Advent Solar - 04 July 2008
AT&S to collaborate with Solland Solar on solar cell applications - 03 July 2008
Yingli enters 10MW module supply agreement with Enfinity - 03 July 2008
Hybrid solar cell researchers order sputtering tool from Surrey NanoSystems - 03 July 2008
Product Briefing Outline: Dow Corning's Solar
Solutions Group has extended its product offerings for the global solar
energy market with an encapsulant and two potting agents that have been
tested and qualified for photovoltaic module applications. The PV 6010
Cell Encapsulant and the PV 7010 and PV 7020 Potting Agents have been
developed to eliminate the guesswork when dealing with the potential
solutions available today.
Problem: With the hundreds of available coatings,
encapsulants, potting agents, sealants, adhesives etc…available on the
market, a key challenge is being able to evaluate correctly which of
these actually work best for demanding solar energy applications, while
providing target life-time parameters and overall performance levels
required.
Solution: Dow Corning’s PV 6010 Cell
Encapsulant forms a clear, durable protective laminate layer over the
surface of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy cells, providing tested
corrosion and delamination protection, according to the company. The
company claims that the new encapsulant provides electrical,
high-temperature and ultraviolet stability with no discoloration. Dow
Corning’s PV 7010 and PV 7020 Potting Agents are designed to insulate
PV cells' electrical junction boxes, providing excellent,
cost-effective electrical insulation and long-lasting protection from
moisture, heat and other environmental conditions, the company claims.
These materials remain flexible and stable over wide temperature
variations (-40 degrees to 150 degrees °C) and offer easy reparability
and global availability. The PV 7010 offers a faster cure rate, while
the PV 7020 has greater viscosity and thermal conductivity, according
to the company.
Applications: Photovoltaic modules.
Platform:
The PV 6010 Cell Encapsulant’s color is clear. It has a viscosity/cps
or mPa-sec of 925, has a refractive index of 1.41 @633nm, is
repairable and employs a moderate temperature cure and is a
self-priming elastomer. The PV 7010 is translucent green, a
viscosity/cps or mPa-sec of 430, a Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) of
0.18. The PV 7020 potting agent is grey in color, a viscosity/cps
or mPa-sec of 14000, a Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) of 1.34 and
certified to UL94 – V1, V10.
Availability: September 2007 onwards.
