- High gas barrier back sheet for thinner photovoltaic modules -

- High gas barrier back sheet for thinner photovoltaic modules -

1 December, 2009 - Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (MPI) today launches its high gas barrier Photovoltaic (PV) back sheet, BACK-BARRIER, to the global market.

BACK-BARRIER is MPI's latest development in the X-BARRIER series of high gas barrier films, with the world's highest level of water vapour barrier. Solar cell manufacturers, to whom MPI have provided samples to, have already confirmed the product's excellent performance.

BACK-BARRIER is based on four key concepts:
• High humidity barrier to ensure both consistent generating efficiency and mechanical strength
• Halogen-free
• Metal-free
• Easy bonding to encapsulation material like Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

As a result, the product avoids the lowering of electric generation efficiency and strength of the back sheet, thereby contributing to improved durability of solar cells with consideration to the environment.

MPI offers two types of back sheets: one for crystalline silicon solar modules, requiring 0.2g/m2/day humidity barrier, and one for thin PV cells, requiring 0.02g/m2/day.

BACK-BARRIER is also being developed for use in dye sensitised and organic thin film solar cells with a much higher humidity barrier.

Since July 2008, Mitsubishi Plastics has achieved the world's highest level of water vapour barrier properties, with 10-4 g/m2/day and has marketed X-BARRIER around the world, based on the specific needs of customers. The product is now widely recognised as a superior material for solar cells and for highly advanced medical and pharmaceutical packaging.

In April 2009, VIEW-BARRIER was placed on the market. VIEW-BARRIER is specifically designed for use in front panels of electronic devices, including dye sensitised solar cells and organic electro-luminescence display panels that require anti-reflection, UV-cut, anti-glare, low shrinkage and process suitability, in addition to superior gas barrier performance as a substitute for glass plate.

MPI expects two-year sales of five billion yen for X-BARRIER products, including BACK-BARRIER.