Krempel introduces new backsheet foil series

August Krempel Soehne GmbH + Co. KG, a German specialist in compound backsheet foils for solar module encapsulation, is expanding its product range. As of March 2006 a new series, the AKASOL PTL-HR, will be added to the company's standard AKASOL PTL models. 

© August Krempel Soehne GmbH + Co. KG Bright white: Krempel's new AKASOL PTL-HR backsheets feature a higher brightness due to the smoother surface of the Tedlar component of the foils.

HR stands for »high reflectance« – an optical property resulting from an enhanced surface smoothness of the PVF (Tedlar) layers of the backsheets. According to Krempel, the smoothed surface lends a brighter appearance to the foil as well as the encapsulated laminate. Probably of even greater importance to module manufacturers are the modified mechanical characteristics of the new backsheets: the thermal shrink (measured at 150 °C for 30 min.) was decreased from 1 to 0.5 percent. The lesser the sheet shrinks during lamination, the lesser the module stacks bend. In addition, the thickness of the Tedlar foils was reduced from 38 to 25 µm, making the PTL-HR foil compound significantly thinner than the standard AKASOL models. Currently two models are available for the new product type, both consisting of two Tedlar sheets that sandwich an electric insulating PET layer. The products are designed for system voltages of 750 and 1,000 V. According to Krempel's technical manager Karl Heinz Brust, the first test samples are ready to be shipped to customers. Delivery time is currently about eight weeks, but Krempel expects to lower it to four weeks soon.

August Krempel Soehne GmbH + Co. KG
Papierfabrikstrasse 4
71665 Vaihingen an der Enz, Germany
phone +49/7042/915-0 fax -15985
info@krempel.com
www.krempel.com

Bernhard Brand 
© PHOTON International, March 2006