USE OF POLYAMIDE AS AN ENCAPSULATING MATERIAL FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

1 . A photovoltaic module comprising solar cells encapsulated by polyamide.

2 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is selected from the group polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 7, polyamide 9, polyamide 10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 69, polyamide 6 10, polyamide 6 12, PA-6-3-T, PA 6I, polyphthalamide (PPA).

3 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is a copolymer of various aromatic or partially aromatic monomers.

4 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is a monofilm.

5 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is contained in a film composite.

6 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is a colored monofilm or is contained in a colored film composite.

7 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is a monofilm or is contained in composite film, and additives, preferably UV stabilisers, hydrolysis stabilisers, antioxidants, heat stabilisers or flame retardants are added to the polyamide film or the polyamide film composite.

8 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , characterised in that the polyamide is a monofilm or is contained in a film composite, which contains fillers.

9 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 4 , characterised in that the polyamide film is pre-treated by means of physical media.

10 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 5 , characterised in that the film composite contains a polyamide film and a fluoropolymer film.

11 . The photovoltaic module of a film composite according to claim 10 , characterised in that the fluoropolymers are selected from the group polyvinylfluoride (PVF), polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), ethylenechloro trifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), ethylenetetra-fluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidenefluoride (THV), tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxy-vinylether-copolymerisate (PFA) or perfluoro-ethylene-propylene (FEP).

12 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 10 , characterised in that the fluoropolymer film is coloured.

13 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 10 , characterised in that the non-positive connection between the films is produced by an adhesive layer.

14 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 13 , characterised in that the adhesive layer comprises a polyurethane or polyester adhesive.

15 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 13 , characterised in that the non-positive connection between the films is produced by means of co-extrusion.

16 . The photovoltaic module of according to claim 15 , characterised in that during the co-extrusion between the films additionally at least one adhesion promoter is extruded.

17 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 4 , characterised in that the polyamide monofilm additionally comprises a fluoropolymer layer.

18 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 17 , characterised in that the fluoropolymer layer contains selectively soluble fluoropolymers.

19 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 17 , characterised in that the fluoropolymer layer is coloured.

20 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 17 , characterised in that an adhesion promoter layer is located between the polyamide film and the fluoropolymer layer.

21 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , characterised in that the adhesion promoter is polyurethane and/or polyester and/or polyacrylate.

22 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 17 , characterised in that a film of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is additionally provided between the polyamide film and the fluoropolymer layer.

23 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 22 , characterised in that the non-positive connection is produced by adhesive layers.

24 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 23 , characterised in that the adhesive is a polyurethane or polyester adhesive.

25 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 22 , characterised in that the non-positive connection is produced by means of co-extrusion.

26 . The photovoltaic module according to claim 25 , characterised in that during the co-extrusion additionally at least one adhesion promoter is extruded.

27 . A method of making the photovoltaic modules of claim 1 , comprising encapsulating the solar cells with polyamide in combination with an embedding material selected from the group ethylvinylacetate (EVA), polyvinylbutyral (PVB), ionomers, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane, polyester, hotmelt or silicone elastomers.

28 . The method according to claim 27 , characterised in that the embedding material is applied to the polyamide by means of co-extrusion.

29 . The method according to claim 28 , characterised in that an adhesion promoter layer is located between the polyamide and the embedding material.

30 . The method according to claim 29 , characterised in that the adhesion promoter is single- or multi-layer and consists of polyurethane and/or polyester and/or polyacrylate.

31 . A photovoltaic material comprising solar cells encapsulated by a plastic composite comprising a carrier material selected from the group polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthenate or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer as well as polyamide 12 layers adjoining the carrier material on both sides.