Faster Encapsulation
Collaboration between DuPont and Bürkle Doubles Module Output
DuPont Photovoltaic Encapsulants and Bürkle North America, Inc. have cooperated in speeding up module lamination. Using new DuPont PV5400 Series encapsulant, an Ypsator laminator can produce up to twice as many glass/glass solar modules per hour as traditional laminators.
Using new DuPont PV5400 Series encapsulant, an Ypsator laminator can produce up to twice as many glass/glass solar modules per hour versus traditional laminators. Picture: Bürkle
Faster production speeds of the Ypsator 3-Step Lamination System allow customers to manufacture up to 40 modules every 11 minutes using DuPont PV5400 Series encapsulant and the 10-opening system from Bürkle. The speed gains occur mainly in the two hot press steps, where the rheological properties of the ionomer-based encapsulant provide faster de-airing and better flow without any need for curing. Besides a faster cycle time, a hydraulic hot pressing step ensures a more uniform module thickness across the solar module and a reduced edge pinch without use of ‘frames’ during the lamination process.
The laminator produces modules in three stages, including a hydraulic hot pressing step. Each step can be individually optimized. When optimized using PV5400 encapsulant, the process provides robust lamination for challenging glass/glass modules, providing fast lamination and excellent production yields for the lowest overall lamination costs found in the industry. The encapsulants improve module manufacturing productivity, as well as resistance to moisture ingress and potential induced degradation (PID) for improved module life. Besides laminating faster, the better moisture resistance can eliminate the need for edge sealing, which further reduces module costs.
http://www2.dupont.com/Photovoltaics/en_US/news_events/article20111004.html