Photovoltaic Encapsulation Material for Low-Viscosity Fiber Impregnation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional encapsulation materials for photovoltaic modules face challenges in achieving flexibility, lightweight properties, and long-term stability while maintaining weathering resistance and UV stability, with acrylic resin-based materials being expensive and having poor mechanical properties, and polyester-based materials requiring high curing temperatures and displaying high viscosities that hinder impregnation.

Innovation Solution

A housing material for photovoltaic modules is developed using a powder coating material comprising an epoxy resin with an epoxy equivalent weight between 150 g/eq and 1800 g/eq and a glass transition temperature of at least 30 °C, which provides improved mechanical properties, flexibility, and chemical resistance, along with a polyester resin that can crosslink with the epoxy resin to enhance stability and reduce viscosity for better impregnation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acrylic resin-based powder coating material is used for encapsulation, then weathering stability and UV-resistance are achieved, but the cost increases and mechanical properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweathering stabilityVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining polyester resin with specific additives (silane-modified polyester resin, oxirane compounds) to achieve both weathering stability and improved mechanical properties, avoiding the need for expensive acrylic resins while maintaining protective performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If polyester powder coating material is used for encapsulation, then UV stability is achieved, but high curing temperatures are required increasing energy demand

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV stabilityVSAvoidcuring temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polyester resin by incorporating silane-modified polyester resin and oxirane compounds, which change the curing characteristics to allow lower curing temperatures while maintaining UV stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If polyester powder coating material is used for encapsulation, then UV stability is achieved, but high viscosity hinders impregnation of fiber cloth

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV stabilityVSAvoidimpregnation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the polyester resin through chemical modification with silane groups and oxirane compounds, reducing the viscosity to enable proper impregnation of fiber cloth while preserving UV stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional encapsulation materials are used, then protection against environmental influences is achieved, but flexibility and lightweight properties cannot be realized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against environmental influencesVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a lightweight composite material using polyester resin combined with fiber reinforcement, achieving both environmental protection and reduced weight compared to conventional encapsulation materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Reliability

If conventional encapsulation materials are used, then protection against environmental influences is achieved, but coloration is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against environmental influencesVSAvoidcoloration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of the polyester resin to improve its compatibility with colorants and pigments, enabling better coloration while maintaining protective performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves a balance of mechanical strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance, while reducing the energy demand for curing and improving impregnation efficiency, thus addressing the limitations of existing materials.

Implementation Method 1

a polyester resin that can crosslink with the epoxy resin to enhance stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

provides improved mechanical properties, flexibility, and chemical resistance, along with a polyester resin that can crosslink with the epoxy resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP3925011B1Encapsulation material
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 TIGERWERK LACK & FARBENFAB
  • EP3925011B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A housing material (108) for a photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of fibers and powder coating material (104), wherein the powder coating material (104) comprises an epoxy resin with an epoxy equivalent weight in between 150 g/eq. and 1800 g/eq, wherein a glass transition temperature of the powder coating material (104) is at least 30 °C measured with Differential Scanning Calorimetry at a heating rate of 20 K / min.