Endurans listed SE POE HT and SE POE UV in the latest TaiyangNews survey, both introduced in 2024, and based on polyolefin elastomer
The films provide tensile strength of at least 15 MPa, elongation of at least 500% and support lamination at 150 to 160°C
SE POE HT features a UV cut-off at 300 nm, while SE POE UV offers a higher cut-off at 380 nm
Endurans, a US-based encapsulation material supplier, appears for the first time in the non-EVA section of the TaiyangNews Market Survey. The company has submitted data for 2 newly introduced POE-based encapsulants – SE POE HT and SE POE UV – both launched in 2024 and based on crosslinking cure technology. They are available in a standard width of 1,120 mm but can be availed in widths ranging from 200 to 2,200 mm and a thickness range of 200 to 800 μm. They have a high tensile strength of ≥ 15 MPa in both MD and TD directions and an elongation of ≥ 500%. The shrinkage rate is < 3% in MD and < 1.5% in TD. Glass adhesion strength is rated at ≥ 60 N/cm and≥ 40 N/cm for backsheets. Processing conditions are flexible, with a lamination temperature of 150 to 160°C, and a vacuum time ranging from 1 to 8 minutes (depending on BOM and laminator type). For effective encapsulation, a gel content of ≥ 60% is utilized.
In terms of performance, both variants achieve light transmittance of ≥ 91% for wavelengths between 380 and 1,100 nm. The water absorption of both films is ≤ 0.05 wt%. SE POE HT offers a UV cut-off at 300 nm, while SE POE UV provides enhanced UV protection with a cut-off at 380 nm. Both encapsulants have a refractive index of 1.49 and a volume resistivity of >1 × 1016 Ω cm.
At the TaiyangNews Reliable PV Module Design 2024 conference, Endurans Solar presented its proprietary EPE encapsulant technology, which replaces the conventional POE core with a higher-melting polyolefin (PO). This modification aims to reduce cost, lower the risk of acid formation, and enhance sustainability. The new EPE design demonstrated up to 40% lower water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) compared to standard EPE, along with improved PID performance, high stiffness, low shrinkage, and reduced risk of cell cracks. The non-cross-linked structure also retained strong adhesion in in-house testing (see Endurans Solar's presentation here).
The text is an excerpt from the latest TaiyangNews Market Survey on Backsheets & Encapsulation Materials 2024/25, which can be downloaded for free here.