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Silicones are helping solar power become an accessible, self-sustaining energy alternative.

 

Did you know... after years of exposure to the sun’s damaging rays, silicones used to encapsulate cells in
photovoltaic modules are
still performing
satisfactorily!
 

Silicones improve the cost-effectiveness, durability, and performance of solar panels and photovoltaic devices.

While solar cells are made of silicon, silicones are used during module assembly, and installation as encapsulants, coatings, potting agents, adhesives, and sealants.

Because they can withstand the sun’s unrelenting rays for year after year, silicones are ideal materials for solar panel and photovoltaic (PV) applications.

Anatomy of a solar panel

Click the ! icons to see how many ways silicones contribute to the performance of solar panels and photovoltaic products.

Solar energy basics

Are you curious about how solar cells and solar panels work? Download these informative fact sheets ...

  • Solar Energy 101 (PDF Size 92KB) – How solar cells convert sunlight to energy.
  • Solar Energy 102 (PDF Size 128KB) – How solar power works in residential homes.

Why silicone materials excel in solar applications

  1. Silicones are renowned for their UV stability and moisture resistance.
  2. Silicones are durable and solar radiation resistant.
  3. Silicones have excellent electrical insulating properties – excellent dielectric strength and high volume resistivity.
  4. Silicones have low ionic impurities, low moisture absorption, and low dielectric constant.
  5. Silicone encapsulants perform over a wide operating temperature range – from -40 to 150°C (-40 to 302°F).
  6. Silicones are optically transparent over a wide spectrum.
  7. Silicones offer excellent adhesion to glass and photovoltaic cell substrates.
  8. Optical, mechanical, and thermal properties can be varied to meet requirements of specific photovoltaic applications.
  • Silicone elastomers and gels can be formulated with low modulus, giving them excellent stress relief capabilities.
  • Silicone resins can be formulated with high modulus to provide durable protection and abrasion resistance.

The silicone advantage

  • Proven performance – silicones have demonstrated their ability to perform under harsh conditions.
  • The unique flow properties of silicones can increase productivity and reduce photovoltaic module manufacturing costs.

Learn about other competitive advantages of silicones.

 

Did you know ... Dow Corning is one of the only companies
in the world that can provide silicon-based material
solutions for everything from solar cell manufacturing
to module assembly and installation!


Versatile material options

Silicones for solar applications come in many forms:

  • Optically clear resins for abrasion-resistant conformal coatings
  • Elastomers and gels for protecting, potting, and encapsulating
  • Sealants and adhesives for assembly

Learn more about the different forms of silicone.

Did you know...  silicones can be hard or soft, flexible or rigid!

Open the silicone toolbox to learn more about the many things silicones can be and do.

Expand your understanding

Easy reading:
Solar Energy 101 - How solar cells convert sunlight into energy. (PDF Size 92KB)

Solar Energy 102 - How solar power works in residential homes. (PDF Size 128KB)

Silicones: Ideal material solutions for the photovoltaic industry (PDF Size 178KB)

Advancements in Solar Technology – A Ray of Innovation

Success story:
Silicone gel enables junction box redesign

For photovoltaics engineers:
Characterizing Device Efficiency Potential (PDF Size 297KB)

Silicones for Photovoltaic Encapsulation (PDF Size 165KB)

Learn about silicones from Dow Corning:
Visit the Dow Corning Solar Solutions website.

Obtain solar panel development support:
Explore the capabilities of the Dow Corning Solar Solutions Application Center.

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