Introduction to Eight Materials of Photovoltaic Modules

As a leader in the field of clean energy, solar power generation is now receiving much attention from the industry. Many individuals and commercial users are interested in photovoltaic power generation. Today, we will introduce what photovoltaic materials are and what raw materials are used for photovoltaic modules?

What are photovoltaic materials?

Photovoltaic materials, also known as solar cell materials, are materials that can directly convert solar energy into electrical energy. Photovoltaic materials can generate electric current due to the photovoltaic effect. If light is irradiated on the solar cell and absorbed by the interface layer, photons with sufficient energy can excite electrons from the covalent bond in P-type silicon and N-type silicon to produce electron-hole pairs. As a leading extruder supplier in China, jwell extrusion machinery uses photovoltaic materials to produce high-quality extruders that are efficient and reliable.

The materials that can be used as solar cell materials in photovoltaic materials include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, GaAs, GaAlAs, InP, CdS, CdTe, etc. Monocrystalline silicon, GaAs, and InP are used for space. Monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and amorphous silicon have been batch-produced for ground use. Others are still in the development stage. Currently, efforts are being made to reduce material costs and improve conversion efficiency, so that the electricity price of solar cells can compete with that of thermal power generation, thus creating conditions for more extensive and large-scale applications.

What materials are used for photovoltaic modules?

Although the materials used in photovoltaic power generation systems vary, all components include several layers of materials from the light side to the back side. The sunlight first passes through the protective layer (usually glass) and then enters the cell interior through the transparent contact layer. The adsorption material is at the center of the module. This layer of material absorbs photons and completes the "photo-generated current". The semiconductor material depends on the specific requirements of the photovoltaic system, and the photovoltaic module mainly consists of eight major materials.

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1. Aluminum alloy frame

The function of the aluminum alloy frame is to protect the edge of the glass, enhance the sealing performance of the module by combining the aluminum alloy with silicone, greatly improve the overall mechanical strength of the module, facilitate the installation and transportation of the module, and bear the link carrier between the module and the bracket. By fixing it, the best bearing capacity can be achieved, from unit fixation to integration, and the mechanical ability of the power station system is improved.

2. Silicone sealant

Used for bonding the laminated glass photovoltaic module, bonding the junction box and the substrate, and enhancing the photovoltaic module's resistance to ultraviolet rays.

3. Tempered glass

Low-iron tempered matting glass (also known as white glass) has a transmittance of over 93% in the wavelength range of solar cell spectral response (320-1100nm) and has a high reflection rate for infrared light above 1200nm. This glass can also withstand solar ultraviolet radiation without reducing transparency. The glass must be clean, free of water vapor, and should not be touched by hand on both surfaces. It is usually used to support the structure of the photovoltaic module, enhance the load-bearing capacity of the photovoltaic module, and has the function of light transmission, anti-reflection, water resistance, air resistance, and corrosion resistance.

4. EVA encapsulant film

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer producted by eva film making machine is a hot melt adhesive. It is used to encapsulate solar cells to prevent the external environment from affecting the electrical performance of solar cells, enhance the transparency of the photovoltaic module, and bond the solar cells, tempered glass, and substrate together. It has a certain bonding strength and also has a gain effect on the electrical performance output of the photovoltaic module.

5. Photovoltaic ribbon

Also called tin-plated copper tape, it is mainly divided into interconnect strips and busbars. The interconnect strips are mainly used for connecting solar cells in photovoltaic modules, playing a role in conducting electricity and collecting the current of the cells. The busbar is mainly used for the connection between the cells of the module, and collects the current generated by the solar cells into the junction box.

6. Solar cells

Solar cells are devices that directly convert light energy into electrical energy. They are made of semiconductor materials. Through the irradiation of solar light, electrons and hole pairs are excited, and the electron-hole pairs are separated by the static electric field in the P-N junction barrier area. The separated electrons and holes are collected by the electrode and output to the outside of the cell body to form a current.

7. Backsheet

Used as a back-side protective packaging material, the most common types include TPX, KPX, PET, etc., which are used to enhance the aging resistance and corrosion resistance of photovoltaic modules, extend the service life of photovoltaic modules, and scatter the light transmitted into the photovoltaic module by white sheets. It improves the light absorption efficiency of the photovoltaic module. Due to its high infrared emission rate, it can also reduce the operating temperature of the photovoltaic module and improve the insulation performance of the photovoltaic module.

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