High performance barrier films for next generation photovoltaic module encapsulation

Flexible high barrier materials are needed for the use of future PV module technologies. R2R processes play a key roll for the production of e.g. a-Si, μc-Si, CIS, CIGS or CdTe modules. The requirements for such flexible high barrier materials are very demanding. Permeation values as low as 10⁻⁵ g/m² day for water vapor transition (WVTR) and respectively 10⁻⁵ cm³/m² day atm for oxygen transition (OTR) are needed. The basic way to produce such materials is combining oxide layers (e.g. AlOx, SiOx) and barrier coatings with suitable polymer substrates.