Looking for innovative solar PV module frame materials
In the process of realizing a circular economy, solar energy, as a renewable energy source, plays an important role in the current and future energy composition. The frame is an important part of the solar photovoltaic module, which plays the role of fixing and sealing the solar cell module, enhancing the strength of the module, and facilitating transportation and installation. Its performance has a direct impact on the installation and service life of the battery module.
For a long time, most of the frame materials of photovoltaic modules are made of aluminum alloys. With the rapid development of the photovoltaic industry, the amount of aluminum used in the photovoltaic industry has also increased year by year. The upstream material of aluminum alloy profiles is electrolytic aluminum, and the production process of electrolytic aluminum consumes a lot of electricity, resulting in a large amount of carbon emissions.
Under the dual factors of rapid demand growth and limited capacity improvement, photovoltaic module manufacturers have been looking for better performance and cost-competitive materials to replace aluminum alloys. Not only to control material costs, but also to reduce the energy-intensive materials needed to convert solar energy into sustainable energy.
Polyurethane composite frame: excellent material properties
The polyurethane composite frame developed by Covestro and its partners has excellent material properties. At the same time, as a non-metallic material solution, the polyurethane composite frame also has the advantages that the metal frame does not have, which can reduce costs and increase efficiency for photovoltaic module manufacturers.
The polyurethane composite material has excellent mechanical properties, and its axial tensile strength is more than 7 times that of traditional aluminum alloy materials. At the same time, it also has strong resistance to salt spray and chemical corrosion.
Non-metallic frame is an ideal material to replace aluminum alloy frame
The volume resistivity of Covestro’s polyurethane composite materials can reach 1×1014Ω·cm. After the photovoltaic modules are packaged with non-metallic frames, the possibility of forming leakage loops is greatly reduced, which helps to reduce the occurrence of PID potential-induced attenuation. The harm of the PID effect makes the power of the battery components attenuate and reduces the power generation. Therefore, reducing the PID phenomenon can improve the power generation efficiency of the panel.
Water-based polyurethane coating protects the frame
Covestro has developed a water-based polyurethane coating solution to protect the frame of photovoltaic modules exposed to the outdoors for many years. After the surface of the polyurethane composite material is coated with a water-based polyurethane coating, the profile has passed the 6000-hour xenon lamp accelerated aging test and has very good weather resistance. At the same time, the waterborne polyurethane coating has excellent adhesion properties to the polyurethane composite material as the substrate, and the VOC emission is extremely low.
Polyurethane composite frame photovoltaic modules have been certified by TÜV Rheinland
Photovoltaic modules equipped with Covestro’s polyurethane composite frame have passed the industry’s authoritative TÜV Rheinland certification in 2021, proving that this new material can meet the stringent requirements of the photovoltaic industry and bring a low-carbon solution with excellent performance to the industry.
The combined solution of polyurethane composite frame and waterborne polyurethane coating is a new frontier for Covestro in the growing renewable energy industry. We are willing to work with partners in the industry chain to jointly promote the technological progress of the renewable energy industry and contribute to the circular economy!
Deyang Yaosheng Composite Materials Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in glass fiber raw materials. The company has consistently provided customers with good products and solutions. Whatsapp: 15283895376; Gmail: yaoshengfiberglass@gmail.com
Post time: Jul-06-2022
