Coextruded solar panel backsheet and method of manufacture

A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic solar panel backsheet, comprising the steps of:

• drying an exterior layer material comprising a non-grafted polyamide and ionomer alloy, a middle layer material comprising a talc filled polyamide, and an interior layer material comprising a polyamide and ionomer alloy;
• heating said exterior, middle and interior layer materials to a state wherein each of said materials may be extruded into individual sheets or webs;
• extruding said exterior, middle and interior layer materials into individual sheets or webs;
• forming said backsheet comprising a single, three layered sheet or web which comprises said exterior layer material sheet or web having substantially planar inner and outer surfaces, said middle layer material sheet or web having inner and outer surfaces;
• and said interior layer sheet or web having inner and outer surfaces;
• wherein said outer surface of said middle layer sheet or web is directly adjoined to said inner surface of said exterior layer sheet or web without adhesive, and said inner surface of said middle layer is directly adjoined to said outer surface of said interior layer sheet or web without adhesive.

A photovoltaic solar panel module comprising:

• a front cover having inner and outer surfaces;
• one or more photovoltaic cells substantially encapsulated in an encapsulant having a top outer surface and a bottom outer surface;
• a backsheet comprising:
• an exterior layer having substantially planar inner and outer surfaces;
• a middle layer, having inner and outer surfaces;
• and an interior layer having inner and outer surfaces;
• wherein said outer surface of said middle layer is directly adjoined to said inner surface of said exterior layer without adhesive, and said inner surface of said middle layer is directly adjoined to said outer surface of said interior layer without adhesive;
• and
• wherein said top outer surface of said encapsulant is adjoined to said inner surface of said front cover, and said bottom outer surface of said encapsulant is adjoined to said inner surface of said interior layer of said backsheet, and wherein one or both of said exterior and interior backsheet layers comprise a non-grafted polyamide and ionomer alloy, and said middle layer comprises a polyamide.

A photovoltaic solar panel backsheet comprising:

• an exterior layer having substantially planar inner and outer surfaces;
• a middle layer comprising a polyamide and having inner and outer surfaces;
• and
• an interior layer having inner and outer surfaces comprising a non-grafted polyamide and ionomer alloy;
• wherein said outer surface of said middle layer is directly adjoined to said inner surface of said exterior layer without adhesive, and said inner surface of said middle layer is directly adjoined to said outer surface of said interior layer without adhesive.