STRATO® TPO Encapsulant films
A new generation of polymers in the PV Industry
Encapsulating films that do not need crosslinking and reactive modifications
STRATO® TPO SOLAR PV represents a new generation of polymers in the Solar industry, called Thermoplastic Polyolefin.
TPOs are tailor-made polymers to deliver the functionality required by the photovoltaic industry.
The excellent adhesion to glass is incorporated into the polymer backbone, as well as the ability to operate at high temperatures. The result is a chemically stable film that is ready to perform for a lifetime in the solar module.
Crosslinking and reactive modification is not required with STRATO® TPO films, eliminating known problems of long lamination time, evacuation of reaction products, and consistency across the module without defects.
Reduced scrap rate and introducing the option to re-laminate
By avoiding crosslinking reactions, the lamination performance is uniform across the solar module, thereby reducing scrap rates. STRATO® TPO can be re-melted introducing the option to re-laminate modules with defects such as bubbles that otherwise would have led to downgraded modules.
Reduced costs for extra materials
STRATO® TPO film is made from high viscosity resin that doesn’t easily flow out during lamination. Edge tape, film strips and fixation tapes may therefore be avoided, reducing the cost of the module.
Maintenance cost savings
STRATO® TPO eliminates the presence of aggressive substances from peroxide crosslinking. This prolongs the maintenance interval for laminator membranes and vacuum pumps, reducing cost and improving plant availability.
STRATO® TPO film is thermoplastic and only needs enough time and temperature to bond to the other components of the module. There is no need to wait for time-consuming crosslinking reactions.
Increased power production in the field due to low degradation
STRATO® TPO films are made from stable polymers and are well protected from degradation induced by humidity, temperature and UV radiation. Acetic acid is one of the most common causes of degradation of solar modules.
When moisture enters the EVA layers, the acid formed corrodes the bus bars, causing reduced output of the cells.
In the photoluminescence image of cells after 5.000 hours damp heat exposure, the corrosion of the bus bars is clearly negligible on the cell with STRATO® TPO, as the chemistry of the resin does not allow acetic acid formation.
Sequential testing validates long term performance
Solar modules will suffer cycles of humidity, UV-radiation and extreme temperatures as the seasons change. This can be simulated by subjecting solar modules to the whole range of weathering tests, repeated consecutively in several cycles. By subjecting the same module to a succession of tests several times, the results will be more representative of real life exposure.
Sequential stress testing is attempting to simulate failure modes that occur throughout and towards the end of solar modules’ lifetime.
STRATO® TPO product range
STRATO® TPO Solar PV
It is a PID (potential induced degradation) resistant encapsulating film with a lower light transmission in the UV wavelength region to avoid yellowing effects of the backsheet due to weathering exposure.
It is used on the back side of the PV modules.
STRATO® TPO Solar PV HLT
It is a PID (potential induced degradation) resistant encapsulating film with a higher light transmission in the UV wavelength region to increase PV module efficiency. It is used on the front side of the PV modules.
