WACKER TECTOSIL® KAPSLAR IN OCH HÄMMAR PID EFFEKT I SOLCELLER
OM ÖVERSÄTTNING ÖNSKAS TILL SVENSKA, KONTAKTA MARIE-LOUISE.KAERVEDAL@WACKER.COM
Munich, September 25, 2012 – A thermoplastic encapsulant from WACKER, the Munich-based chemicals group, prevents undesired solar-cell performance losses. This is the conclusion that the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin arrived at after testing solar modules that had been encapsulated with the thermoplastic silicone elastomer TECTOSIL® on behalf of the chemical company. The testers confirmed that such modules do not display leakage currents due to potential-induced degradation. These effects can occur in the event of higher voltages and can lead to significant performance losses in the solar module.
Potential-induced degradation (PID) is caused by undesired leakage currents on the cell surface. They cause negative charge carriers that would normally flow to the cell’s back contact to be discharged via the encapsulation and module frame, unused. Penetrating moisture and high module voltages promote this type of discharge, which can cause considerable performance losses. However, the PID effect is reversible and can be restricted through technical countermeasures.
Measurements by the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin now show that such PID effects can be effectively suppressed, or that they don’t even arise, with TECTOSIL® encapsulants. To this end, solar modules encapsulated with TECTOSIL® were tested as per IEC standard 60904-1 at a system voltage of 1,000 volts. Unlike the reference modules, which, in part, displayed PID effects, the Berlin testers could not ascertain any PID-related performance losses in the TECTOSIL® modules. The modules encapsulated with WACKER’s material showed no signs of PID, either in their voltage characteristics or during subsequent electroluminescence analysis.
With the aid of such measurements, PID effects in solar modules can be verified in the lab. To do this, the voltage characteristics of cells are tested for 48 hours at 85 °C and 85% relative humidity. "The PI’s results confirm our own tests," says Dr. Jürgen Küpfer, senior manager for new businesses at WACKER. "We now have clear proof that TECTOSIL® is capable of reliably suppressing PID effects in solar cells."
About TECTOSIL®
TECTOSIL® is a flexible, highly transparent and electrically insulating sheet comprising an organosilicone copolymer. Because of its thermoplastic properties, WACKER’s silicone-based polymer can be processed quickly and inexpensively – without curing or other chemical reactions. In the manufacture of solar modules, TECTOSIL® facilitates short cycle times and a high tolerance to local temperature differences within the laminator.
TECTOSIL® bonds the components of a PV module into a stable laminate. Encapsulated solar cells are thus afforded optimum protection against mechanical and chemical stresses. The polymer also has the advantage of being chemically stable, which means there is no risk of clouding, yellowing or the like.
The sheet does not contain catalysts or corrosive substances. This allows it to be used for encapsulating solar cells containing films of compound semiconductors or other highly sensitive chemical substances – such as transparent conductive oxides. Thanks to TECTOSIL®’s properties, modules can be produced with high quality and a long service life.
About the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin
Founded in 2006, the Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin is one of the leading testing laboratories for solar modules. It counts renowned solar manufacturers as its customers. The institute focuses on module technology and the encapsulation of solar cells. Its activities include the inspection of standard modules and examination of prototypes and product designs. As a testing lab, the Photovoltaik-Institut is accredited to the IEC/ISO/EN/DIN 17025, IEC 61215, IEC 61646 and IEC 61730 standards.
Photo is available for download at: http://www.wacker.com/pressreleases
För mer information, vänligen kontakta:
Wacker Chemie AG
Media Relations & Information
Florian Degenhart
Tel. 49 89 6279-1601
Fax 49 89 6279-2877
Företaget i överblick: WACKER är en globalt verksam kemikoncern med cirka 17 200 anställda och en årsomsättning på cirka 4,91 miljarder € (2011). WACKER har 25 produktionsanläggningar, 20 technical competence centers och 53 försäljningskontor över hela världen.
WACKER SILICONES Silikonoljor, silikonemulsioner, silikongummi och silikonhartser, silaner, pyrogena kiselsyror, termoplastiska silikonelastomerer
WACKER POLYMERS Polyvinylacetat- och vinylacetat-kopolymerer i form av dispersionspulver, dispersioner och fasthartser som bindemedel för byggkemiska produkter, färger, lim, lacker, putser och fiberdukar samt i polymera material baserade på återvinningsbara resurser.
WACKER BIOSOLUTIONS Bioteknologiska produkter såsom cyklodextriner, cysteiner och biologiska produkter liksom fiinkemikalier och PVAc fasta hartser
WACKER POLYSILICON Polysilicium för halvledar- och fotovoltaikindustrin
Siltronic Wafers av högrent silicium och enkristaller för halvledarkomponenter.
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