PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE INTERLAYER
A photovoltaic module may include a substrate including a coating; and an interlayer placed in contact with the substrate, where the interlayer includes an acid-modified polyethylene.
1 . A photovoltaic module comprising:
a substrate comprising a coating; and
an interlayer placed in contact with the substrate, the interlayer comprising an acid-modified polyethylene.
2 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the interlayer comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.
3 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a non-coated section, wherein the non-coated section is located substantially proximate to a perimeter of the substrate, and the interlayer is located on at least a part of the non-coated section.
4 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein an edge of the substrate is substantially free of the coating, and the substrate surface in the region free of coating material is substantially free of surface erosion.
5 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the interlayer is located substantially proximate to a perimeter of the substrate.
6 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cadmium-immobilizing agent proximate to the coating; or a cadmium-immobilizing agent dispersed throughout the interlayer near a polymer-metal interface.
7 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises a cadmium telluride layer on a cadmium sulfide layer.
8 . The photovoltaic module of claim 1 , wherein the coating further comprises a transparent conductive oxide stack.
9 . The photovoltaic module of claim 8 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide stack comprises a transparent conductive oxide layer on one or more barrier layers, and a buffer layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer.
10 . The photovoltaic module of claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more barrier layers comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, aluminum-doped silicon nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum-doped silicon oxide, boron-doped silicon nitride, phosphorous-doped silicon nitride, silicon oxide-nitride, and tin oxide.
11 . The photovoltaic module of claim 9 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide layer comprises a layer of cadmium and tin.
12 . The photovoltaic module of claim 9 , wherein the buffer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of zinc tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, and zinc magnesium oxide.
13 . The photovoltaic module of claim 9 , further comprising a back contact metal on the cadmium telluride layer.
14 . A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, the method comprising:
placing an interlayer in contact with a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a coating; and
pressing the interlayer to the substrate, wherein the interlayer comprises an acid-modified polyethylene.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the interlayer comprises an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the substrate further comprises a non-coated section, wherein the non-coated section is proximate to a perimeter of the substrate.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
removing a portion of the coating from the substrate, wherein the portion is proximate to a perimeter of the substrate, prior to placing an interlayer;
laminating one or more layers;
encapsulating the substrate, the coating, and the interlayer in a frame;
depositing a cadmium-immobilizing agent proximate to the coating; or dispersing a cadmium-immobilizing agent throughout the interlayer near a polymer-metal interface.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises a cadmium telluride layer on a cadmium sulfide layer.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the coating further comprises a transparent conductive oxide stack.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the transparent conductive oxide stack comprises a transparent conductive oxide layer on one or more barrier layers, and a buffer layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer.