Advantages of silicone gel encapsulant

Inert material

Unlike EVA polymer encapsulant which can decompose, because of high temperature (80oC) or ultraviolet radiation, to acetic acid (causing degradation of solar cells), the silicone gel is inert in wide ranges of temperatures up to 250oC. Recent most advanced high efficiency solar cells are very sensitive to acetic acid coming from decomposed EVA

Highly transparent material

The silicone gel is more transparent for solar radiation, compared to EVA. It results in about 1.5% higher conversion efficiency of PV panels laminated in Silicone gel compared to EVA. It is beginning of life value. The end of life (20 years) energy gain is  15% (no yellowing/browning).
Gel instead of solid state encapsulant – The silicone gel, unlike solid state EVA, enables mechanical stress relaxation during PV panel thermal cycling between day and night.

Extended  lifetime of solar panels

The points a-c result in extended PV panel lifetime well over 30 years and increased energy gain by 15%

Recycling

At the end of PV panel life the its recycling (including solar cells extraction) is easy by silicone gel laminated solar panels compared to EVA laminated panels.

Shape flexibility

Unlike EVA solid film the silicone gel enables lamination of any complex shapes (cylindrical, spherical….)

Low energy consumption

The energy need for silicone gel module lamination is reduced ~10 times compared to EVA film lamination.

Price

There is negligible price difference between silicone gel and EVA technology.

Enviromentaly friendly

Environmentaly friendly materials only are used.

Room temperature (+20°C) lamination

The silicone gel lamination process enable lamination of temperature sensitive technologies