CX-100945 Cost-Efficient and Highly Weather-Resistant Solar Panel Backsheet Produced through Continuous Co-Extrusion Processing

Cost-Efficient and Highly Weather-Resistant Solar Panel Backsheet Produced through Continuous Co-Extrusion Processing
Award Number: DE-EE0008143
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Solar Energy Technologies Office
Location(s): NH
Office(s): Golden Field Office

DOE is proposing to provide funding to Tomark-Worthen LLC to design, produce, test and evaluate a novel multi-layer photovoltaic backsheet manufactured through co-extrusion technology. The objective of this project is to improve both cost-efficiency and performance-life over the products currently on the market.

Project activities would include lab-scale development of backsheet materials, reliability and physical testing of sample materials, and production of the multi-layer backsheet at manufacturing scale and production of monolayer materials at the laboratory scale. Project activities would take place at Tomark-Worthen’s facility in Nashua, New Hampshire, the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Massachusetts, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)in Golden, Colorado, and Specialized Technology Resources (STR) in Enfield, Connecticut. Production of the multi-layer backsheet at manufacturing scale and the lab-scale production of monolayer materials would occur at the Tomark-Worthern manufacturing facility. Lab-scale development of backsheet material and physical testing of samples would occur at the NRSDEC facility. Reliability testing and evaluation of sample materials would take place at NREL. And, reliability testing, evaluation of sample materials and lamination of the backsheet into panels for testing would occur at STR’s manufacturing facility. No modifications or new permits, additional licenses and/or authorizations would be necessary at any of the proposed locations. No change in the use, mission or operation of existing facilities would arise out of this effort.