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Silicon Solar Materials in Solar Applications
Silicone materials have found their way into many modern applications and the use of silicone in solar panels has served to illustrate the unique properties of silicone in this particular application.
Whilst silicon is used in the manufacture of solar cells, silicones in the form of adhesives, sealants, coatings, encapsulants and potting agents are used in the solar pane installation and assembly.
Silicones have proven ideal for use in solar panels mainly due to their ability to withstand the rays of the sun for many years.
As well as their renowned moisture resistance, UV stability, durability and resistance to solar radiation, silicones also have excellent electrical insulating properties and can operate over a wide range of temperatures.
Another useful property of silicone is that it can be transparent and can also adhere to glass and other materials with excellent strength characteristics.
Within solar pane applications, silicone could be used as a cell encapsulant to protect photovoltaic cells from delamination and corrosion and very pure polycrystalline silicon metal is used in the solar cell construction.
Silicone gels are also used in the protection of electrical components and silicone sealants are also used in the manufacture of the solar panel frame due to their strength and long term bonding and moisture protection.
It can be seen that the many unique properties and characteristics that silicone based products offer, the uses and applications can be wide and varied. Silicon solar applications offer many uses for silicone’s properties and solar grade silicon is likely to become in heavy demand as the demand for greener forms of energy increases.