Alishan offers encapsulation products - Front EVA, FC, and EPE, designed for rooftop, DG, and BIPV segments
All films deliver robust tensile properties, good elasticity, and strong adhesion to both glass and backsheet surfaces
The films feature ≥ 91% light transmittance, low water absorption and high volume resistivity, with EPE exceeding > 2 × 10¹⁵ Ω cm
Encapsulation materials play a dual role in a solar module. In addition to contributing to the module’s reliability, with its influence on optical properties, the encapsulation material can also influence the electrical properties of the solar module. Their main function is to provide electrical insulation and cushion the solar cells embedded into the module. EVA has been the material of choice probably since the inception of solar modules. There have been several alternative materials proposed for this application, but none of them could even make a dent in EVA’s near-monopoly status. Starting with increased deployment of bifacial technology and then advanced cell architectures such as TOPCon and HJT, demand evolved for alternative EVA solutions (see Optimizing Encapsulation For Next-Gen Solar Modules).
Alishan Green Energy, a new entrant in the TaiyangNews survey has introduced its EVA-based encapsulation materials: Alishan Front EVA, Alishan FC, and Alishan EPE. These products feature fast-cure properties, with Front EVA and FC available since 2020, and EPE newly launched in 2024. Designed for high-performance applications, these films are suitable for rooftop, distributed generation (DG), and BIPV installations.
Alishan Front EVA and FC have a thickness range of 405 to 800 μm, while it is 450 to 700 μm for EPE. The width range of 300 to 1,305 mm, density of 0.95 to 0.96 g/cm³, and a clear color with an embossed or orange peel surface finish are common for all 3 models. They exhibit a tensile strength of ≥ 16MPa, elongation of ≥ 600%, and shrinkage below 3% in the MD direction and 1% in TD. The adhesive strength to glass and backsheet exceeds 75 N/cm for all films (see Encapsulation Sector Balancing Innovation And Cost Pressures In Solar).
The processing conditions are tailored for efficient lamination. The recommended lamination temperature for all products is 140 to 150°C. For Front EVA and FC, the vacuum time is 4 to 6 minutes and the press time is 8 to 10 minutes. The EPE film requires a slightly longer vacuum time of 5 to 8 minutes and 10 to 14 minutes of press time. All products have a VA content of 28 ± 2% and a gel content exceeding 75%.
Performance characteristics highlight light transmittance of ≥ 91% across the 1,100 to 400 nm range. Alishan FC offers an additional UV cut-off at 360 ± 30 nm. Volume resistivity is > 1 × 1015 Ω cm for Front EVA and FC, while EPE exhibits a higher resistivity of > 2 x 1015 Ω cm. The water absorption for all products is less than 0.1 wt%.
The text is an excerpt from the latest TaiyangNews Market Survey on Backsheets & Encapsulation Materials 2024/25, which can be downloaded for free here.