German chemicals producer Wacker has developed an encapsulant for flexible solar cells, which is compatible with roll-to-roll processing.
The silicone barrier technology can be used with both second-generation thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technologies made from compound semiconductors, and advanced flexible solar cells made from organic semiconductors and other nanomaterials.
The encapsulant, sold as Elastosil Solar 2200, is transparent, pourable and non-corrosive. It vulcanises rapidly at elevated temperature and has strong adhesive properties, readily bonding to glass, and flexible films made from a variety of materials including aluminium, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or activated ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) without the need for a primer.
While many organic (O)PV developers are making progress in raising solar cell power conversion efficiencies. Enhancing the lifetimes of devices through application of effective barrier materials that are also compatible with volume processing has been a critical challenge for the industry.
Roll-to-roll
The new encapsulant is compatible with roll-to-roll processing techniques which are being introduced to produce solar cells more cost effectively. Wacker has been a materials supplier to the solar industry for many years. In addition to supplying starting material for crystalline solar cells, the Munich-based chemicals firm produces silicones that are used as potting materials, adhesives and sealants, or encapsulants in solar cells and modules.
Elastosil Solar 2200 is electrically insulating, permanently flexible across a temperature range from -50 to +200 °C and virtually chemically inert. Vulcanised silicone, which the barrier is made from, is resistant to weathering and UV radiation, so there is no risk of yellowing.
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Wacker
The German chemicals producer has developed an encapsulant for flexible solar cells
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