Photovoltaic – Solar Panel Lamination

Application – Photovoltaic Cell/Wafer Stringing.

After individual solar cells (usually 6-inch square) are manufactured, they need to be electrically joined by soldering to form a ‘string’ These strings are connected together to form an electrically linked panel. A very common size of panel is 3ft 3 inches wide x 6ft 5inches wide and this would have 72 x 6-inch solar cells electrically strung together. Two conductive wire stringers or ‘buses’ are used to join each of the cells together. The soldering process takes place on a PTFE coated conveyor with small vacuum holes. The individual cells lie flat and the vacuum holds them securely to the belt whilst the stringer wire is being laid on top and then subsequently welded to one side of the solar panel.

Application – Finished Panel Lamination

Upon completion of the ‘stringing’ process, the electrically connected cells are placed within a sandwich structure to make the finished Solar Panel weatherproof.  This sandwich is made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) on both sides of the cell, a top / face sheet of reinforced tempered glass and a PV (polyvinyl) sheet on the back. This 5-ply sandwich is then pressed under temperature and pressure for around 20 minutes which involves pre-heating, lamination, and cooling to seal each panel and make them a weatherproof finished Solar Panel. Taconic PTFE coated fabrics and Belts are used as the release sheet for this Solar Panel lamination process due to their high temperature resistance and excellent release.

Our PTFE coated glass fabric products 9108-3, 7108 & Tacfuse 10 AS are used as press covers whilst our 7058 & 5108 can be used as release sheets between the press cover and solar cell module. The conveyor belt used can be made from our PTFE coated glass fabric products Tacfuse 14AS, 7148, 7108, 9108-3 or Tacfuse 10AS. Finally, our 7108 or 9108-3 can be used as a protection fabric between the conveyor belt and the heat chamber.

Products Tacfuse 10AS & Tacfuse 14AS provide high strength, a smooth, non-marking anti-static surface allied with excellent thermal transfer. Products 5108, 7108, 7148 & 9108-3 offer high strength, along with a smooth surface and excellent release.

Additional products used in this application include 717KAS (with its high strength aramid fabric and excellent release), 7278 AR (with a textured PTFE surface on strong glass fabric). Please click here for our Photovoltaic brochure.

Technical data above is based on our general experience and is given in good faith. We are however unable to accept responsibility in respect of factors which are outside our knowledge or control. All data is subject to change without notice. Some items may not be on stock and/or a minimum order quantity may apply.