Dec 2 2009
Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (MPI, Tokyo, Japan; President: Hiroshi Yoshida) has launched the high gas barrier Photovoltaic (PV) back sheet “BACK-BARRIER” to the global market.
Mitsubishi Plastic's newly launched "BACK BARRIER."
“BACK-BARRIER” is MPI’s latest development in the “X-BARRIER” series of high gas barrier films with the world’s highest level of water vapor barrier. Solar cell manufacturers, to whom the company provided samples, confirmed the product’s performance.
Since July 2008, Mitsubishi Plastics has achieved the world’s highest level of water vapor barrier properties, with 10-4 g/m2/day and has marketed “X-BARRIER” around the world, based on the specific needs of customers. The product is now widely recognized as a superior material for solar cells and for highly advanced medical and pharmaceutical packaging.
In April 2009, “VIEW-BARRIER” was placed on the market. “VIEW-BARRIER” is specifically designed for use in front panels of electronic devices, including dye sensitized solar cells and organic electro-luminescence display panels that require anti-reflection, UV-cut, anti-glare, low shrinkage and process suitability, in addition to superior gas barrier performance as a substitute for glass plate.
“BACK-BARRIER” is based on four key concepts: 1) high humidity barrier to ensure both consistent generating efficiency and mechanical strength; 2) halogen-free; 3) metal-free; and 4) easy bonding to encapsulation material like EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate). As a result, the product avoids the lowering of electric generation efficiency and strength of the back sheet, thereby contributing to improved durability of solar cells with consideration to the environment.
MPI offers two types of back sheets: one for crystalline silicon solar modules, requiring 0.2g/m2/day humidity barrier, and one for thin PV cells, requiring 0.02g/m2/day.
“BACK-BARRIER” is being developing for use in dye sensitized and organic thin film solar cells with a much higher humidity barrier.
MPI expects two-year sales of five billion yen for “X-BARRIER” products, including “BACK-BARRIER.”