SNEC 2018: DuPont surprises with transparent backsheet for bifacial modules

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions has launched the first transparent PV module backsheet material, specifically for bifacial solar cells at SNEC

Major PV materials provider DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions has launched the first transparent PV module backsheet material, specifically for bifacial solar modules at SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition, being held in Shanghai, China this week. 

Currently, bifacial solar cells were seen to require a glass/glass encapsulation to provide light to the rear cell, eliminating traditional backsheet materials used extensively for mono-facial modules. DuPont has been a long-term major supplier of its ‘Tedlar’ materials for backsheet production in the solar industry. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

DuPont noted that the breathable, clear ‘Tedlar’ PVF film based backsheets allow higher reliability, lower operating temperature, compared to glass/glass bifacial modules, as well as being 30% lighter.  

The clear ‘Tedlar’ PVF film is expected to be a drop-in with most current manufacturing processes for backsheets and modules with little if any additional investment in equipment needed for most manufacturing processes, according to DuPont.
 
The company has also been collaborating behind the scenes with one of the world’s largest solar energy installers, Huanghe Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. (HHSD), a leading clean energy subsidiary of State Power Investment Cooperation (SPIC) of China and a relatively small PV manufacturer in its own right. 

DuPont said that A 72-cell, high-power, bifacial module protected by the clear ‘Tedlar’ PVF film-based backsheet would be featured at its booth at SNEC. SPIC is currently evaluating the performance and longevity of the new clear backsheet as part of SPIC’s real-world, large-scale PV power plant testing facility of equipment and components in Qinghai province, China.

DuPont also launched a new front side silver metallization paste, ‘Solamet’ PV21x, which is designed to enhance most mainstream cell technologies. ‘Solamet’ PV21x was said to deliver better contact performance and high aspect ratios that enable cell efficiency enhancement >0.1% and maintains high throughput in mass production. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 9, 2025
China has advanced in the integration of AI and new energy, covering areas such as power forecasting, electricity markets, and O&M.
September 8, 2025
Vaisala has launched a new hail alert system aimed at solar operators grappling with an increasingly costly problem for PV installations.
September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
September 4, 2025
The Czech national cybersecurity agency has warned that Chinese solar inverters represent a threat to the country’s data security.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines