Photovoltaic module

• US 6,222,115 B1
• Filed: 03/14/2000
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
• Inventors: Nakanishi, Naoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/524,633
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/251, 136/256, 136/258.PC, 136/258.AM, 257/433, 257/434
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/046 PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/048 Encapsulation of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/049 Protective back sheets
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A photovoltaic module having a transparent substrate, solar cells formed on the back surface of the transparent substrate, an encapsulant resin for sealing the solar cells, and a back cover film formed on the back surface of the encapsulant resin, in which the back cover film includes at least a multi-layered film of a polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and an amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer formed on the surface of the supporting film which is positioned on the side of the encapsulant resin.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module, comprising:

a transparent substrate;

solar cells formed on the back surface of the transparent substrate;

an encapsulant resin for sealing the solar cells; and

a back cover film formed on the back surface of the encapsulant resin,

wherein the back cover film comprises at least a multi-layered film of a polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and an amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer, the heat seal layer being formed on a surface of the supporting film and is positioned to face the encapsulant resin.

2. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said back cover film consists of a laminate including a multi-layered film of the polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and the amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer, and a fluorocarbon resin film bonded to another surface of the supporting film.

3. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said multi-layered film has a thickness of 30 to 100 μ

m.

4. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said heat seal layer has a glass transition point not higher than 100°

C.

5. The photovoltaic module according to claim 4, wherein said heat seal layer has a glass transition point not higher than 75°

C.

6. The photovoltaic module according to claim 1, wherein said multi-layered film can be heat-sealed under temperatures falling within a range of between 140°

C. and 200°

C.