HomeOn April 12th, the 2023 N-type PV Technology and Industry Forum was held in Wuxi with a focus on N-type PV technology innovation and practical mass production, cost reduction and efficiency improvement solutions, and implementation strategies. Jiang Xi, Product Manager of Crown, shared a report entitled N-type Solar Cell Module Encapsulation Solution Study and Discussion, which described in detail Crown’s research and results regarding N-type TOPCon and HJT cell encapsulating materials.
According to the report, encapsulating materials are now subject to new requirements due to changes in the structure and surface contact layer of N-type cells. For example, compared with PERC cells, TOPCon cells have the following characteristics: unlike P-type, the front side of the PN junction is treated with fine-grid aluminous silver paste, the front side busbar is in direct contact with the p+ emitter, and the silver paste composition is different and lamellar. These characteristics impose higher requirements for encapsulating materials in terms of PID resistance, water resistance, acid resistance and low modulus. By drawing upon the encapsulating material technologies that it has developed over the years, Crown provides TOPCon single-glass and glass-glass overall solutions based on cell characteristics and market demand.
For HJT cells, the encapsulating material is subject to even higher requirements due to its special structure and TCO surface contact layer. Compared with TOPCon cells, HJT cells are thinner with a surface TCO layer more sensitive to moisture and an encapsulating material subject to more rigorous requirements in terms of low modulus and water resistance. In addition, TCO film is less adhesive, adsorbs more UV and consequently experiences faster ultraviolet ageing, so the adhesive strength and ageing resistance of the encapsulating material are subject to higher requirements. Crown launched the exclusive HJT POE/EPE encapsulation film which solves the problems of HJT cells such as sensitivity to water, acid, lamellar form and ultraviolet ageing, and its formula adjustment also improves adhesion to achieve 40N+ adhesive strength. Besides, through its special formula system and process, Crown has solved the deficiency of POE materials in crosslinking degree and slip prevention, optimizing the material for HJT cell encapsulation.
Cost reduction is the most important issue regarding HJT cells, and the application of busbar-free cell technology is particularly important for HJT cost reduction. Crown’s mesh film substantially reduces silver paste consumption, solves the problem of the difficult encapsulation of busbar-free HJT cells, helps with the cost reduction and efficiency improvement of HJT module encapsulation, and facilitates the development of HJT busbar-free cell technology.
At the "2023 N-type PV Industry Contribution Awards" ceremony, Crown won the "2023 N-type PV Material Industry Pioneer Award" for its reliable cell encapsulation overall solution. This award demonstrates the technological strength of Crown in N-type encapsulation and signifies that it has been recognized in the industry.
Since it was founded, Crown has always been committed to researching new energy-based cell encapsulation solutions, becoming the foremost manufacturer of environmentally friendly fluorine-free BO backsheets and the expert of N-type cell encapsulating materials. From its six core material technologies, Crown constantly seeks innovations and breakthroughs, pioneers encapsulation technology in the industry, constantly creates value for new energy-based cell encapsulation and contributes to the eco-friendly development of the industry.
