5 Coveme-Luigi Marras

Facing the challenges of bifacial and lightweight modules: New material developments in front- and backsheets as valid alternatives for glass Coveme Spa Connie Pan 2019 Coveme Specialized in Plastic films and Laminates BACKSHEETS AND SPECIAL FILMS FOR PV AND SOLAR BUSINESS New opportunities for clear plastic films in PV New challenges for clear plastic films in PV Solution to win the challenges Summary Opportunities New opportunities for clear films 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 2016 2017 2018 F2019 E2020 E2021 E2022 E2023 E2024 E2025 E2026 Worldwide Market Share [%] Glass-Glass ModulesBi-facial Cells Glass-Glass Modules Glass-glass entered the market with the promise to offer competitive long term ROI vs Glass-backsheet (warranty to 30y) Glass-glass growth pushed the development and growth of bifacial cells/modules as high efficiency solutions Bifacial cells growth and availability offer new opportunities for clear substrate. Source –Internal Market Analysis based on multi sources market reviews Glass – glass panels in the field New opportunities for clear films Some concern in glass-glass - weight, risk of cracking (more on 72cells) - Difficult clamping (frameless) Cracking Delamination Source –Hongjie Hu, (DuPont) 11th SNEC, Shanghai, China, Apr. 19th, 2017, Glass – glass panels in the field Source –Hongjie Hu, (DuPont) 11th SNEC, Shanghai, China, Apr. 19th, 2017, New opportunities for clear films Some concern in glass-glass - weight, risk of cracking (more on 72cells) - Difficult clamping (frameless) - Acetic Acid entrapment - Moisture penetration from edges (if not frame) - Higher NOCT (3°C on avg) Faster Aging Corrosion New opportunities for clear films Alternative to Glass not only for Backsheet for bifacial modules Frontsheet Challenges Key Properties for clear Backsheet Beside std. requirements for backsheet (el.insulation, mech. properties, adhesion, weathering resistance) Transparency (88%) Abrasion / Scratch resistance + Long lasting performances after severe weather conditions for all the life (25y expected) PERFORMANCES RELIABILITY New Challenges for clear films Key Properties for clear Frontsheet Beside requirements for clear-backsheet, more reqs are asked to a clear plastic sheet if used in the Front, like as Transparency (90%) Anti reflective Antiglare Antisoling Abrasion / Scratch resistance + Direct UV + Hail resistance Impact resistance Scratch resistance PERFORMANCES RELIABILITY New Challenges for clear films 2019 New Challenges for clear films EROSION Transparency Output (kWh) Outer layer thickness Less protection Faster degradation Erosion The importance to withstand with severe abrasive environment (like as sand, dust, wind…) with no degradation is in general important. More important with clear films where performances factor are influenced together with safety and durability ones. Solutions Abrasion/Scratch Resistant and UV filter Outer Layer Solutions to win the challenges Special transparent and weather (hydrolysis) resistant core PET layer Proper Film with low erosion and given thickness Special COATING Erosion rates have been evaluated on the field and can vary from 0,2 up to 3µm/year per year, with different polymers and environment Source –Hongjie Hu, (DuPont) 11th SNEC, Shanghai, China, Apr. 19th, 2017, BACKSHEET FRONTSHEET 1500Vdc 1500Vdc 1000Vdc 1000Vdc Outer coating 50my PET 250my PET 50my primer PO primer (UV stable available) Engineered adhesives PET inner layer(s) Top Airside Hard Coat Outer coating 158my PET 100my primer Outer Outer coating 158my UV PET 100my primer Outer coating 158my UV PET 50my primer 158my UV PET Solutions to win the challenges Outer coating 50my PET 250my PET 50my primer Outer NEW dyMat® CLEAR HDPYE BACKSHEET MAIN FEATURES • TLT 89% • Abrasion Taber tests 200cycles • UV res air side 150kWh • DHT 2500hrs • WVTR 90% • Further UV resistance • UV engineered PET • Texturized version (for antiglare AND higher efficiency in low angle irradiation) • Hardcoat – antiscratch/anti abrasion • Antisoiling Outer coating 158my UV PET 100my primer The anti-dazzle surface of the new frontsheet has shown an increase in power of about 10% in field trials with an angle of inclination of 10-15°, Solutions to win the challenges UV weathering aging TESTS -iso4892 Irradiance @340nm 0,89W/sqm conversion factor 54,39 TUV 48 W/sqm 500h 100h 1500h 2000h 2500h 3000h kWh/sqm*day 24,2 48,4 72,6 96,8 121 145,4 ΔYI ΔE 3000h rs 1,1 0,6 5000h rs 2,6 1,8 NEW dyMat® CLR PYE MONO L FRONTSHEETOuter coating 158my UV PET 100my primer Solutions to win the challenges dyMat® Selective Solutions to win the challenges 2019 Outer coating 50my PET 250my PET 50my primer Clear Barrier film TRANSPARENT WATER VAPOR BARRIER LAYER • No compromise in TLT (89%) • WVTR 10 E-1 • Avilable with antiglare coating to be used as frontsheet Same concept applyable to different layour When very sensitive cells technology (HjT,CIGS) requires near-zero moisture penetration, the new clear barrier film is the solution. Solutions to win the challenges CONCLUSIONS Bifacial technology booming, some issues with glass and new technology trends (lightweight, roof installations) offer new important opportunities for clear plastic films. New technology introduction ( hardcoats, weather-resistant films)offer solutions to make new fully transparent film laminate very competitive and the best choice in the market for many applications, where higher ROI or special requirements are needed. CONCLUSIONS Thanks to the partner for cooperation Thanks to you for the attention Luigi Marras CTO LMarras@coveme.com