Honeywell has introduced a new backing material for the protection of photovoltaic solar cells used in modules that will be located in harsh or humid type conditions. Honeywell’s ‘PowerShield’ PV325 has a traditional five-layer design that includes two outer protective layers based on ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) fluoropolymer film and a core polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, as well as two inner bonding layers of proprietary adhesive material.
"Initial results from independent performance testing have shown this backing material meets the demanding needs of PV module producers," said Jeff Czarnecki, global business director for Honeywell's specialty films segment, a part of the Performance Products business. "We expect our barrier material to be certified under the industry's performance-based standard by the end of the year."
PowerShield was developed primarily for rigid PV modules, used in utility scale energy plants. The material is also an alternative to traditional backing systems based on poly-vinyl fluoride (PVF).