Solar Panel Manufacturing Materials

Materials for solar panels, solar panel parts, solar panel attachements, and other components. (NAICS 221114, 221119)

Plastics provide crucial protection and support for solar panels. Weather resistant and UV-stable plastics like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) serve as backsheet materials for solar panels, protecting their internal components. Additionally, plastics like polycarbonate and acrylic are used as protective covers, lenses, or concentrators due to their transparency, impact resistance, and light transmission properties. These clear plastics allow for efficient light transmission without compromising on protection. Plastics are are used in solar panel frames, junction boxes, and as insulation for cables due to their generally light weight, ease of machinability or moldability, and weatherability.

Properties

Strong and durable
Weather resistant
Dimensionally stable
UV resistant
Impact resistant

Applications

Solar panel frames
Protective backsheets
Laminated glass
Junction boxes
Cable insulation
Lenses and concentrators
Anti-reflective coatings
Protective covers

Industries

Residential construction
Commercial construction
Power generation
Agriculture
Transportation
Government/public sector

Solar Panel Manufacturing Materials Overview

What type of plastic is used in solar panels?

Many different types of plastics are used in the construction of solar panels, including:

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS is a sturdy and moldable plastic. In solar panels, ABS is used for braces, attachments, and mounts.

EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate): EVA is a flexible and transparent plastic used for electrical insulation and protecting the photovoltaic cells from moisture and the elements.

PVF (Polyvinyl Fluoride): A durable plastic used as a backsheet material in solar panels that offers excellent weather resistance, UV stability, and protection against moisture.

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): PET is used as a protective film on the front surface of solar panels and providing protection as well as light transmission.

PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride): Like PVF, PVDF is a durable fluoropolymer used for solar panel backsheets. High thermal stability, UV resistance, and excellent weatherability make it a good fit for protecting the internal components from the environment.

Polycarbonate (PC): Polycarbonate is a virtually unbreakable and transparent plastic used for protective covers, lenses, or concentrators in solar panels. It offers impressive impact resistance and light-transmitting properties.

Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate or PMMA): Acrylic is used as a protective cover or for concentrating sunlight in solar panels. It has excellent optical clarity and resistance to UV radiation.

Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP): These thermoplastics are commonly used for frame components, junction boxes, or cable insulation in solar panels. They offer lightweight properties, good chemical resistance, and easy moldability.

Materials for solar panel applications fall under NAICS codes #221114 and 221119.

Solar Panel Manufacturing Materials Resources & PDFs

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Bisphenol A, CAS 80-05-7, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Acrylonitrile, CAS 107-13-1, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including 1,3-Butadiene, CAS 106-99-0, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Styrene, CAS 100-42-5, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Ethyl acrylate, CAS 140-88-5, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Tetrafluoroethylene, CAS 116-14-3, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

WARNING: The products on this page can expose you to chemicals including Tetrafluoroethylene, CAS 116-14-3, which are known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

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