Photovoltaic

Fluoplus^® ETFE Films: Enabling Lightweight and High-Efficiency PV Modules

Amidst the photovoltaic industry’s pursuit of lighter, more flexible, and more weather-resistant solutions, Fluoplus^® high-performance ETFE and FEP films have emerged as the ideal encapsulation solutions for applications such as flexible lightweight modules, portable foldable kits, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), and vehicle-integrated photovoltaics. This success is attributed to their high full-spectrum light transmittance (exceeding 94% in the visible light range), exceptional chemical resistance, outstanding mechanical strength, and a proven track record of over 25 years of outdoor performance. Compared to traditional glass encapsulation, a single 25μm layer of ETFE film can reduce the weight of the module’s front sheet by over 99%, thereby significantly enhancing both the module’s power density and installation flexibility.

ETFE Glossy Film Advantages:

• – At a thickness of 25 μm, it achieves a visible light transmittance of over 94%, a tensile strength of ≥30 MPa, and an elongation at break of ≥300%; the material features high mechanical strength and stable electrical insulation properties.
• – Combining excellent weather resistance with high impact toughness, it is widely utilized in general-purpose lightweight photovoltaic modules, providing outdoor weather protection for over 20 years.
• – Its smooth, low-surface-energy finish provides a self-cleaning effect, minimizing dust accumulation and maintaining high light transmission output.

ETFE Matte Film Advantages:

• – Even at a thickness of 25μm, total light transmittance remains exceptionally high—exceeding 93%—while haze levels are adjustable; this imparts a uniform, soft matte-frosted finish to the module surface, all while maintaining the material’s structural strength and electrical insulation properties.
• – By utilizing a microscopic diffuse-reflection structure, it effectively mitigates specular glare, making it an ideal choice for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) curtain walls, sunshades, guardrails, and other applications where strict glare control is required.

ETFE UV-Cut Film Advantages :

• – With a thickness of 25 µm, it boasts a light transmittance exceeding 90%, along with excellent mechanical toughness and electrical insulation strength.
• – It significantly mitigates—at the source—the radiation damage caused by UV light to internal encapsulant films (such as EVA and POE) and sensitive solar cells (e.g., HJT and perovskites), thereby effectively delaying encapsulant yellowing and power degradation.
• – It is particularly well-suited for use in high-altitude regions and areas subject to intense UV radiation, helping to extend the effective service life of solar modules.

Water Vapor Blocking Laminated Film Advantages:

• – Employs a multi-layer composite structure featuring an outer layer of ETFE integrated with a high-barrier intermediate layer (such as an inorganic vapor-deposited coating or a specialized polymer); this design significantly reduces water vapor transmission rates without compromising light transmittance.
• – Exhibits an ultra-low Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of <0.5 g/m²·24h (at 38°C/90% RH)—approximately one-tenth that of a single-layer ETFE film.
• Its exceptional moisture-barrier performance effectively safeguards solar cells and moisture-sensitive materials, making it ideally suited for offshore PV installations, high-humidity environments, and as an alternative to double-glass modules where ultra-long-term weather resistance is required.