While meeting with PV module manufacturers in recent months, we encountered an overwhelming preference for a bright-white colored BioBacksheet in lieu of the existing translucent design. For cosmetic reasons, as well as for its high-reflectivity which improves cell efficiency, manufacturers prefer a bright-white colored backsheet, said Dr. David Lee, BioSolars chief executive officer.
We have successfully modified our product formulation to meet this request without compromising our industry-leading product characteristics. Subsequent testing demonstrated that the improved product meets all industry standards, as well as customer and BioSolar internal product requirements. The new bright-white BioBacksheet opens up a wider pool of potential customers and will be sold as a standard product.
The original translucent BioBacksheet has proven to be extremely durable in all categories of short-term, as well as long-term durability tests. For example, while only 1,000 hours of damp heat oven exposure (85 degree C at 85 percent relative humidity) is required to test a typical new backsheet, the translucent BioBacksheet endured more than 3,000 hours.
Based on the test results completed to date, it appears that the bright-white BioBacksheet will be as durable as the original design, said Dr. Stanley Levy, BioSolars chief technology officer. Testing of the new bright-white model not only involves examination of the physical characteristics of the product itself, but also the material of which it is made. This is especially important when a new formulation will be used as an integral component of a PV panel. Once these tests are finalized, our prospective customers will submit their specific PV modules with the new bright-white BioBacksheet for UL (or IEC) certification or recertification.
According to Dr. Lee, BioSolar currently has commitments from select PV module manufacturers willing to move forward with recertification of their existing PV panels upon completion of the remaining tests. This is a necessary step before making quantity purchase commitments.
