Dow Corning’s next-generation conductive adhesive is combined with Tianwei’s MWT technology to deliver high efficiency and durable back-contact modules.
Shanghai, China, November 25, 2013 – Dow Corning and Tianwei New Energy Holdings Company jointly announced a new collaboration today. Dow Corning’s silicone-based, next-generation conductive adhesive Dow Corning® PV-5802 will be used in Tianwei New Energy’s Metal Wrap Through (MWT) module production line – an industrial scale, highly automated production solution developed by ECN (Energy Research Center of the Netherlands). PV-5802 provides excellent electrical properties and stability, which will greatly enhance the electrical performance, reliability and durability of Tianwei New Energy’s MWT module. This cooperation and technological breakthrough demonstrates both companies’ continued commitment to solar photovoltaic innovation and technology applications.
A cutting-edge solution for crystalline silicon cells and modules, MWT technology effectively improves module conversion efficiency without significantly increasing the base cost, which has been a major focus for the industry and the R&D efforts of mainstream manufacturers. Tianwei New Energy’s product features a new cell interconnection solution using a conductive backsheet and conductive adhesives, which greatly reduce power loss and increase production yield. Its fully automated functionality also significantly reduces labor costs and quality risks.
Dow Corning PV-5802 conductive adhesive demonstrated excellent conductivity and production yield in tests on Tianwei’s MWT production line. The MWT modules using Dow Corning PV-5802 had very low cell-to-module power loss, less than 0.4%. The full area module efficiencies reached 16.8 %, an outstanding value for multi-crystalline Silicon modules. In accelerated aging tests, the modules showed very low degradation: 0% loss after 300 thermal cycles (between – 40 °C and 85 °C), and 0.2% loss after 1500 hours in damp heat conditions (85 °C, 85 % relative humidity).
Dow Corning’s conductive adhesives can also be used with other PV back contact module manufacturing applications, such as IBC and similar high efficiency technologies. The material has a long working time and is highly recyclable, helping customers reduce material waste in module production.
A set of MWT modules using Dow Corning PV-5802 has been tested by TUV Nord for qualification according to the standards IEC/EN 61215, IEC/EN 61730-1 and IEC/EN 61730-2. All tests were passed successfully, and as a result certification was granted.
“Tianwei New Energy is the industry leader in MWT technology adoption, and we are very pleased to enter into this collaboration with them,” said Dow Corning Solar Division Vice President Dan Futter. “With Dow Corning’s advanced experience in silicones and conductive materials, this is a strategic move for both companies. We look forward to deploying this new innovative solution on a larger scale.”
“Dow Corning’s newly developed conductive adhesive performs nearly perfectly in performance testing, giving us full confidence in this collaboration,” said Wang Haitang, Tianwei New Energy General Manager. “Dow Corning PV-5802 will enhance the conversion efficiency and durability of MWT modules, providing Tianwei’s downstream customers with higher quality, more efficient products. I believe this will help optimize and upgrade the entire industry chain.”
