Highly Transparent Photovoltaic Frontsheets To Develop Solar Panels For Marine Applications

Highly transparent photovoltaic frontsheets to develop solar panels for marine applications

25-Nov-16

Highly transparent photovoltaic (PV) frontsheets extruded by Amcor using Solvay’s Halar® 500 ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) resin have enabled Solbian Energie Alternative to develop its innovative new Solbianflex? solar panels for marine applications. Solbian, among the leader in solar energy components for transportation, designed its panels to be integrated directly onto the boat deck, which required that they withstand not only harsh marine conditions but frequent foot traffic as well. Solbian chose Amcor's high-clarity Halar® ECTFE-based frontsheets for its light weight, durability, textured non-slip surface and resistance to abrasions and mechanical impact.

Wojciech Skalbani, Sales Director, Industrials, for Amcor, said, “Like any solar panel, those designed for the marine environment must be both reliable and efficient. Solvay’s Halar® ECTFE-based resins enable Amcor’s frontsheets to achieve these goals more effectively, while also offering a lighter, more cost-effective alternative to conventional glass. Our collaboration with Solvay continues to expand and enhance options for solar energy by eliminating the structural weight limitations and rigidity of glass, thereby improving the integration of PV modules into complex shapes.”
Solbian designed its solar panels to help reduce battery drain and to power auxiliary electronic systems on vessels of all types. The company recognized however that, unlike panels mounted on land, shipboard solar fixtures must be more lightweight and flexible and better able to withstand the moisture and salt of the maritime environment. Few materials meet all of these requirements as well as Amcor’s films made with Solvay’s Halar® ECTFE.

Luca Bonci, Managing Director at Solbian Energie Alternative, said: “Together, Solvay and Amcor have developed a durable frontsheet that delivers long-lasting protection of the PV panel’s sensitive cells, while supporting excellent light capture – even at lower angles of incidence. Excellent aesthetics are also important to this application, and Halar® ECTFE-based frontsheets deliver with an attractive glossy finish.” Amcor’s textured ECTFE-based frontsheets offer excellent resistance to abrasion, fire and ultraviolet (UV) light, as well as excellent moisture barrier properties (<1 g/m2/day). They are self-cleaning and can withstand more than 20 years of direct exposure to sunlight without significant change in properties. Combined with Amcor’s primer technology, films based on Halar® 500 ECTFE form durable encapsulant films commonly used by the solar industry.

Halar® ECTFE film protected the 17,248 photovoltaic cells of the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) aircraft’s wings, rear stabilizer and fuselage as the sun-powered aircraft circumnavigated the globe earlier this year. In addition to waterproofing the Si2’s photocells – covering 300 m2 (328 yds2) – Solvay’s lightweight, flexible, high-clarity ECTFE film encapsulated them against harsh temperatures and conditions as the plane travelled over oceans, cities and deserts. Importantly, Solvay’s material enabled film thickness to be reduced to 17 microns, compared to the 26 microns of a competing film. This saved about 35% in weight without compromising electrical performance.