Photovoltaic glass is a key encapsulation material for solar cell modules, and its types are mainly classified based on production processes, functional characteristics, and application scenarios. This article mainly classifies the main types and their detailed characteristics according to the production process:
1. Ultra-white Textured Glass
A. Process Characteristics:
a. Produced by the Rolling Process, the glass surface features specially designed pyramid or suede textures to reduce light reflection and enhance light transmittance.
b. It is usually tempered to enhance mechanical strength.
B. Performance advantages:
a. High light transmittance (≥91.5%), light undergoes multiple refractions on the texture surface, increasing light absorption.
b. It has excellent anti-PID (Potential Induced Decay) performance and is suitable for high-efficiency PERC, TOPCon, and HJT cells.
c. It has strong weather resistance and can resist ultraviolet rays, acid rain and wind and sand erosion for a long time.
C. Application
The front cover glass of mainstream crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules (such as monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon modules).
2. Ultra-white Float Glass (Float Glass
A. Process Characteristics:
a. The float process (where molten glass floats on the tin liquid to form the shape) is adopted, resulting in a smoother and flatter surface.
b. It has an extremely low iron content (≤0.015%) and belongs to high-transparency ultra-clear glass.
B. Performance advantages:
a. It has a relatively high light transmittance (89% to 91%), but is slightly lower than that of rolled glass.
b. It has a high surface flatness and is suitable for components that require uniform light distribution (such as thin-film batteries).
c. It can be coated to further enhance light transmittance or increase functionality (such as self-cleaning and anti-reflection).
C. Application
a. Substrates or covers for thin-film solar cells (such as CdTe, CIGS).
b. The back glass of some double-glass components (if highlight capture is not required).
