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US 6,187,448 B1Granted
Encapsulant material for solar cell module and laminated glass applications
AssigneeEvergreen Solar, Inc.
InventorsJack I. Hanoka, Peter P. Klemchuk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An encapsulant material includes a layer of metallocene polyethylene disposed between two layers of an acid copolymer of polyethylene. More specifically, the layer of metallocene polyethylene is disposed adjacent a rear surface of the first layer of the acid copolymer of polyethylene, and a second layer of the acid copolymer of polyethlene is disposed adjacent a rear surface of the layer of metallocene polyethylene. The encapsulant material can be used in solar cell module and laminated glass applications.
Claims35
An encapsulant material comprising:
- a first outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene;
- an inner layer of metallocene polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the first outer layer;
- a second outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the layer of metallocene polyethylene, each of the first outer layer, the inner layer and the second outer layer comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package which comprises a first hindered amine light stabilizer providing thermal oxidative stabilization and a second hindered amine light stabilizer providing photooxidative stabilization.
A solar cell module comprising:
- at least one solar cell;
- a transparent encapsulant material disposed adjacent at least one surface of the solar cell, the encapsulant material comprising (1) a first outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene, (2) an inner layer of metallocene polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the first outer layer, and (3) a second outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the inner layer of metallocene polyethylene;
- a front support layer formed of light transmitting material disposed adjacent a front surface of the encapsulant material;
- and
- a backskin layer disposed adjacent a rear surface of the encapsulant material.
2 more elements
A laminated transparent member comprising:
- a front support layer formed of transparent material;
- a transparent encapsulant layer disposed adjacent a rear surface of the front support layer, the encapsulant layer comprising (1) a first outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene, (2) an inner layer of metallocene polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the first outer layer, and (3) a second outer layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the inner layer of metallocene polyethylene, each of the first outer layer, the inner layer and the second outer layer comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package which comprises a first hindered amine light stabilizer providing thermal oxidative stabilization and a second hindered amine light stabilizer providing photooxidative stabilization;
- and
- a rear support layer formed of transparent material and disposed adjacent a rear surface of the encapsulant layer.
1 more element
A method of manufacturing an encapsulant material comprising:
- providing a sheet of metallocene polyethylene comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package;
- placing a first layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package next to a front surface of the sheet of metallocene polyethylene;
- and
- placing a second layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package next to a rear surface of the sheet of metallocene polyethylene, wherein the ultraviolet light stabilization additive package comprises a first hindered amine light stabilizer providing thermal oxidative stabilization and a second hindered amine light stabilizer providing photooxidative stabilization.
1 more element
A method of manufacturing a solar cell module comprising:
- providing at least one solar cell;
- forming a transparent encapsulant material of:
- (1) a first layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene, (2) a layer of metallocene polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the first layer, and (3) a second layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the layer of metallocene polyethylene;
- placing the encapsulant material adjacent at least one surface of the solar cell;
- and
- positioning the solar cell and the encapsulant material between a transparent front support layer and a backskin layer.
3 more elements
A method of manufacturing a laminated transparent member comprising:
- providing two transparent support layers;
- forming a transparent encapsulant comprising:
- (1) a first layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene, (2) a layer of metallocene polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the first layer, and (3) a second layer of an acid copolymer of polyethylene located next to a rear surface of the layer of metallocene polyethylene, each of the first layer, the layer of metallocene polyethylene and the second layer comprising an ultraviolet light stabilization additive package which comprises a first hindered amine light stabilizer providing thermal oxidative stabilization and a second hindered amine light stabilizer providing photooxidative stabilization;
- placing the encapsulant layer in between the two support layers to form an assembly;
- and
- laminating the assembly to encapsulate the support layers with the encapsulant layer.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.