Backsheets are the important components of a solar PV panel. It is essential
that they are of high quality to avoid degradation, unnecessary maintenance,
and replacements, which all add to the costs and in turn decrease the user’s
profit margin. PES gets the latest from Bischof + Klein on their new generation backsheets using their improved manufacturing process.
History of Bischof + Klein
In 1922, the company entered the packaging industry with the production of paper sacks for the neighbouring lime and cement works. Small paper packaging items and newspaper printing extended the product range. 1950 saw an increase in the production of consumer packaging. At the beginning of the 60s, B+K was amongst the pioneers in plastic processing, and has been producing industrial packaging manufactured from plastic since 1963. From 1980 onwards, the consumer packaging range was extended with the expansion of plastic processing. This period also saw the establishment of a new division: Technical Films.
Focus in the Technical Films division is placed on the production of surface protection films, technical laminates, films for lamination and backsheets.
The B+K-GROUP manufactures its products using state-of-the art systems for mono/co-extrusion, gravure/HD-flexographic printing, solvent-based/solvent-free lamination and coating plus for extrusion lamination and coating. Highly-developed conversion technology with product-specific facilities for sealed, welded and adhesive designs enable individual production according to customers’ wishes.
Packaging for high-purity products is manufactured under clean room conditions in a separate production facility.
Today, Bischof + Klein is one of Europe’s leading full-service suppliers of flexible plastic and plastic laminate packaging and technical films.
The new generation of backsheets
Backsheets are used for electrical safety and protection of PV modules against environmental influences. Due to its reflection of sunlight the backsheet also contributes to the efficiency of PV modules overall performance.
PV modules are installed worldwide and are, therefore, exposed to different climates with an aspired lifetime of more than 20 years. Degradation phenomena as hydrolysis, corrosion and yellowing can be caused by photochemical reaction due to ultra violet irradiation (UV) but also by the ingress of water vapour into the PV module.
