Embossed high modulus encapsulant sheets for solar cells

US7851694B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Jerrel C. Anderson · Vienna, US
• Richard Allen Hayes · Brentwood, US
• Geraldine M. Lenges · Wilmington, US
• Charles Anthony Smith · Georgetown, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 21, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 14, 2010
• Expiry date: Sep 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A thermoplastic film or sheet having a thickness of about 1 mil (0.026 mm) to about 20 mils (0.51 mm) containing a surface embossed layer comprising a copolymer of alpha olefin(s) with alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid comonomer(s), ionomers derived therefrom and combinations thereof useful for making solar cell laminates, wherein the surface is embossed with a pattern which provides channels for de-airing, the channels having depth of about 20 microns or less, a width of about 30 microns to about 300 microns and spaced about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm apart, and use thereof in photovoltaic cells and the manufacture thereof.