Backsheets are an important part of solar panels. They are made of multiple layers to protect the module and improve its performance. Their design has changed a lot over the last 20 years, mostly due to cost pressures and market needs. What was once seen as a stable component is now being improved for better efficiency and reliability. In our earlier article, we looked at the basic structure and pricing of backsheets. This time, we explore how manufacturers are adapting them to meet the needs of new n-type cell technologies like TOPCon (see Solar Backsheets Driven By Pricing And Technology Trends).
The main focus area for backsheet manufacturers currently is to lower the water vapor transmission rate to meet the moisture sensitivity needs of n-type cell technologies. A growing number of companies are also coming up with reflective backsheets. Sustainability, low carbon footprint, and recyclability are factors that have become the highlighting features for backsheets. To start with, the glass-backsheet configuration is still preferred for a few applications and presents a few definite advantages over glass-glass. One key benefit is hail resistance, according to Alessandro Anderlini, head of the photovoltaic division at Coveme, as shared in an executive interview with TaiyangNews on the floors of REI India. Reports from various solar plants indicate that glass-glass modules – especially those with 2 mm glass on both sides – are highly vulnerable to hail damage. In regions prone to extreme weather, glass-backsheet configurations provide better durability and protection. Additionally, they offer superior heat dissipation, which helps improve module performance in high-temperature environments by preventing excessive heat buildup (see Coveme's Italian-Engineered PV Backsheets Featured At REI 2024).
From a manufacturing perspective, glass-glass modules pose significant challenges, reducing production throughput by up to 30% due to the need for specialized equipment and leading to higher scrap rates. Logistics and installation are also more demanding with glass-glass modules, as they require larger warehouse space due to stacking limitations, whereas glass-backsheet modules are easier to handle and install. Furthermore, weight considerations play a crucial role – glass-glass modules are significantly heavier, making transportation and installation more complex. By utilizing 3.2 mm front glass with a high-barrier backsheet, manufacturers can achieve similar durability and reliability while significantly reducing weight, making glass-backsheet modules a more versatile and cost-effective solution. Backsheet suppliers are mainly working on improving moisture resistance to make the products suitable for TOPCon.
As India ramps up efforts to strengthen its solar PV manufacturing industry, the TaiyangNews Solar Technology Conference India 2025 will serve as a key platform for discussing the latest technological advancements. Scheduled for April 10–11, 2025, in New Delhi, the event will bring together technologists, scientists, and engineers driving innovation in the sector.
Day 2 will feature a session titled "Advancing Solar Module Performance and Reliability Through the Right Bill of Materials." Speakers include InYoung Suh, Director of Business Development at Hangzhou First; Dr. Khushbu Patel, AGM of Business Development at Alishan Green Energy, who will discuss innovations in encapsulants and backsheet materials; and Mohammad Asif Patel, General Manager – BD at DhaSh PV Technologies, who will present on "From Concept to Connection: Experiences in Setting Up a GW-Scale JB Fab in India." Registrations are open here.
The text is an excerpt from the latest TaiyangNews Market Survey on Backsheets & Encapsulation Materials 2024/25, which can be downloaded for free here.
