PES takes a look at the latest way one company is offering a way to save time, money and be ecologically responsible, by using a new extrusion method.
BREYER’s extrusion system “CellProtect” allows the production of low shrinkage EVA encapsulation film at high production speed – on top – no energy consuming annealing and no interlayer film makes the production economic and energy saving
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are used to convert sunlight into electricity. Energy will continue to be a catalyst for global economic growth and prosperity and the power of the sun is at the heart of the revolution in renewable energy. The global PVB market is forecast to grow by a minimum of 10% in the next few years.
According to a research report from November 2016 by Fraunhofer ISI Freiburg, Germany, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of PV installations was 42 % between 2000 to 2015. Concerning PV module production in 2015, China and Taiwan hold the lead with a share of 67 %, followed by Rest of Asia-Pacific and Central Asia (ROAP/CA) with 14%. Europe contributed with a share of 5 % (6% in 2014); USA/CAN contributed 3 %.
In the same way the demand for encapsulant material is growing. But there is a physical limitation in terms of production speed. Encapsulation film produced on regular extrusion lines has naturally a shrinkage which affects not only the laminating process but can result in destroyed wafers and therefore creating waste and thus increased production costs.
