[0001] The present invention relates to a photovoltaic module comprising a solar cell encapsulated with a polymer composition. The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing of such solar cell assembly.

[0002] The increase in use of photovoltaic systems to as element of the mixture of sustainable energy generation solutions, in particular electrical energy generation systems, has given rise to a need for providing high quality, durable, and economically producible solar cell systems. As these systems typically are subject to relatively harsh climate conditions, and exposed to the elements continuously, it is important that an appropriately durable means of protection is provided for the system.

[0003] The photovoltaic elements that are the functional part of such solar cell system, in the sense of the actual generation of the electrical energy under exposure to sunlight, typically are relatively fragile elements. In order to ensure that no damage is inflicted onto these elements during manufacturing of the solar cell, the transport, installation, and ultimately its operation, protective measures such as in the form of providing an encapsulation of the cell are commonly employed. This encapsulation needs to provide appropriate adhesion to both the solar cell itself, as well as to any front cover, which may be a glass cover sheet, or a cover sheet of a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic sheet, and back protection or frame member. Furthermore, the encapsulation material needs to provide protection from moisture, air, mechanical shocks, and vibrations, and needs to provide good electrical isolation and thermal creep resistance.

Moreover, there are also certain requirements relating to manufacturing of the solar cell systems that need to be dealt with, including the need for easy processing and short curing times.

[0004] Such encapsulation materials typically are provided in the form of compositions of thermoplastic materials, which may be applied onto a solar cell as encapsulant, for example in the form of one or more films that jointly encapsulate the solar cell, which subsequently are subjected to certain curing or setting processes. By such curing process, the thermoplastic nature of the composition ceases to be occurring, and crosslinking between polymer molecules takes place. Such cured composition can then comply with the above-stated requirements relating to providing durable protection to the solar cell assembly. [0005] A particularly appropriate class of thermoplastic materials for use in such encapsulation compositions are ethylene-based polymers. Ethylene-based polymers, particularly ethylenebased copolymers, are thermoplastic materials that find abundant and versatile use, and are the world’s most ubiquitous thermoplastic materials. Also for use in encapsulant solutions for solar cells, ethylene-based polymers may be a very suitable option, amongst others because of their inert nature.

[0006] However, certain needs remain over the ethylene-based polymer compositions that are described in the art. In particular, in manufacturing of the encapsulated solar cells, it is relevant that the curing or crosslinking of the encapsulant composition, which involves a thermal treatment for a certain duration, is such that the initial phase of exposure of the composition to the curing temperature, being the phase wherein the material absorbs the provided heat but remains thermoplastically mouldable, is not too short, so as to allow an appropriate window for the thermoplastic shaping to be performed; where in the other hand, the curing phase itself, being the phase wherein the crosslinking occurs, should be preferably short, to allow economic processing, defined by e.g. desirably short cycle times. Furthermore, the crosslinking degree should be such desirably high.

[0007] This can now be achieved according to the present invention by an encapsulated solar cell assembly, the assembly comprising a solar cell positioned between positioned between a first and a second sealing layer, wherein the solar cell is positioned such that the first and the second sealing layer are joined so as to completely encapsulate the solar cell, wherein each of the first and the second sealing layer comprise or consist of a film or sheet of a polymer composition comprising: a) an ethylene-based copolymer; b) > 0.1 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.1 wt% and < 1.0 wt%, of a crosslinking agent; c) > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 wt% and < 0.5 wt%, of a coupling agent, preferably a silane coupling agent; d) > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 and < 1.0 wt%, of a co-agent, preferably a phosphate-moiety, isocyanurate-moiety or cyanurate-moiety containing co-agent; wherein all wt% are based on the total weight of the polymer composition; and wherein the ethylene-based copolymer has a vinyl unsaturation content of > 6.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, preferably > 7.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, preferably > 12.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, more preferably > 12.0 and < 20.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, even more preferably > 12.0 and < 15.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, when determined in accordance with ASTM D6248-98 (2012).

[0008] Such solar cell assembly can be produced in a process that allows for a desirably long initial phase in curing, thereby allowing flexibility in thermoplastic moulding, a desirably short curing period, thus reducing cycle time in the production of an encapsulated solar cell assembly, whilst also resulting in a high degree of crosslinking of the encapsulant material.

[0009] Preferably, each of a), b), c) and d) are different compounds.

[0010] The ethylene-based polymer may for example have a vinylidene unsaturation content of

> 5.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, preferably > 5.0 and < 15.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, more preferably

> 5.0 and < 10.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, when determined in accordance with ASTM D6248-98 (2012).

[0011] For example, the vinyl unsaturation content in the ethylene-based polymer may be greater than its vinylidene unsaturation content, when expressed in unsaturations per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, when determined in accordance with ASTM D6248-98 (2012).

[0012] The ethylene-based polymer may for example have a monomodal chemical composition distribution. In the context of the present invention, a monomodal chemical composition distribution is to be understood in that in an HPLC analysis, the elution diagram shows a single peak.

[0013] Preferably, the ethylene-based copolymer is a non-polar polymer, such as a polymer that does not contain heteroatoms, in particular oxygen, in its polymeric structure.

[0014] It is preferred that the polymer composition comprises > 90.0 wt% of the ethylene-based copolymer, with regard to the total weight of the polymer composition, preferably > 95.0 wt%, more preferably > 98.0 wt%. [0015] The ethylene-based polymer may for example have a density of > 850 and < 900 kg/m ³ , preferably of > 860 and < 890 kg/m ³ , more preferably of > 865 and < 885 kg/m ³ , even more preferably of > 865 and < 880 kg/m ³ , as determined in accordance with ASTM D792 (2008).

[0016] The ethylene-based polymer preferably is a copolymer of ethylene and one or more a- olefins selected from 1 -butene, 1 -hexene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene, and 1 -octene, particularly preferably 1 -octene. The ethylene-based polymer preferably comprises > 55.0 wt% and < 80.0 wt%, more preferably > 60.0 and < 70.0 wt%, of polymeric moieties derived from ethylene. The ethylene-based polymer preferably comprises > 20.0 and < 45.0 wt%, more preferably > 30.0 and < 40.0 wt%, of polymeric moieties derived from 1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene, or 1 -octene, preferably 1 -octene, with regard to the total weight of the ethylene-based polymer.

[0017] The ethylene-based polymer my for example have a melt mass-flow rate of > 2.0 and < 25.0 g/10 min, preferably of > 4.0 and < 20.0 g/10 min, more preferably of > 4.0 and < 15.0 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 (2013) at 190°C under a load of 2.16 kg.

[0018] The crosslinking agent may for example be selected from 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t- butylperoxy)hexane, 3-di-t-butylperoxide, t-cumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(t- butylperoxy)hexyne, dicumylperoxide, a,a’-bis(t-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene, n-butyl-4,4-bis(t- butylperoxy)butane, 2,2-di(t-butylperoxy)butane, 1 ,1-bis(t-butylperoxy)cyclohexane, t- amylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate ,t-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate, t-butylperoxy benzoate, 1 ,6-di(t-butylperoxycarbonyl)hexane, and combinations thereof, preferably from dicumylperoxid, t-amylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate and t- butyl peroxy-2-ethy I hexyl carbonate, more preferably from t-amylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate and t-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexyl carbonate.

[0019] The coupling agent may for example comprise a silane moiety and at least one alkoxy moiety, preferably wherein the alkoxy moieties comprise 1-5 carbon atoms; preferably the coupling agent comprises three alkoxy moieties comprises each comprising 1-5 carbon atoms; more preferably, the coupling agent further comprises a (meth)acrylate moiety.

[0020] For example, the coupling agent may be selected from y-chloropropyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl triethoxysilane, vinyl-tris-(p-methoxyphenyl)silane, y- methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, p-(3,4-ethoxy-cyclohexyl)ethyl trimethoxysilane, y- glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, y-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane, y-arninopropyl triethoxysilane, and y-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane, preferably from vinyl trimethoxysilane and y-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane, more preferably y-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane.

[0021] The co-agent may for example be a compound according to formula I:

R2

R2 - — R1 ■ — R2 formula I wherein:

• R1 is a trivalent moiety bound to each R2 moiety via a heteroatom, preferably N or O; and

• each R2 is a moiety comprising a terminal vinyl unsaturation, preferably each R2 is a moiety comprising 1-10 carbon atoms, more preferably each R2 is a linear moiety; preferably wherein each R2 is the same.

[0022] More preferably, each R2 is the same and selected from ethenyl, 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 5-hexenyl, 6-heptenyl, and 7-octenyl.

[0023] Preferably, the compound of formula I is selected from: wherein each R3 is a moiety comprising 1-5 carbon atoms, preferably wherein each R3 is a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or t-butyl moiety, more preferably wherein each R3 is the same.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the co-agent is selected from triallyl cyanurate, triallyl phosphate, triallyl isocyanurate, and 2,4,6-trimethyl-2,4,6-trivinyl cyclotrisilazane.

[0025] A polymer composition for use in sealing layers for the solar cell assembly according to the invention may for example be prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

• providing to a mixing device, for example to a melt extruder, a set of ingredients comprising o the ethylene-based polymer; o > 0.1 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.1 wt% and < 1.0 wt%, of the crosslinking agent; o > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 wt% and < 0.5 wt%, of the coupling agent, preferably a silane coupling agent; and o > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 and < 1.0 wt%, of the coagent, preferably a phosphate-moiety, isocyanurate-moiety or cyanurate- moiety containing co-agent; and

• mixing, for example extruding, the set of ingredients at a melt temperature of < 100°C, preferably > 80°C and < 100°C, to form the polymer composition.

[0026] A film for use as sealing layer in the solar cell assembly according to the invention may for example be prepared by a process comprising the steps of • providing to a melt extruder a set of ingredients comprising

• the ethylene-based polymer;

• > 0.1 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.1 wt% and < 1.0 wt%, of the crosslinking agent;

• > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 wt% and < 0.5 wt%, of the coupling agent, preferably a silane coupling agent; and

• > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 and < 1.0 wt%, of the coagent, preferably a phosphate-moiety, isocyanurate-moiety or cyanurate- moiety containing co-agent;

• extruding the set of ingredients at a melt temperature of < 100°C, preferably > 80°C and < 100°C, to form an extrudate; and

• casting the extrudate at a temperature of < 100°C to form the film.

[0027] The invention also in an embodiment relates to a cured solar cell assembly obtained by subjecting the encapsulated solar cell assembly of the invnetion to conditions sufficient to cure the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer. Such conditions sufficient to cure the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer may for example be a temperature of between 100°C and 160°C, preferably between 120°C and 150°C, for a period of > 5 and < 30 min, preferably of > 10 and < 20 min.

[0028] The invention further relates to a process for manufacturing of a cured solar cell assembly, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a first sealing layer and a second sealing layer, each comprising or consisting of a film of comprising of a polymer composition comprising:

• an ethylene-based copolymer;

• > 0.1 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.1 wt% and < 1.0 wt%, of a crosslinking agent;

• > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 wt% and < 0.5 wt%, of a coupling agent, preferably a silane coupling agent;

• > 0.05 wt.% and < 5.0 wt.%, preferably > 0.05 and < 1.0 wt%, of a co-agent, preferably a phosphate-moiety, isocyanurate-moiety or cyanurate-moiety containing co-agent; wherein all wt% are based on the total weight of the polymer composition; and wherein the ethylene-based copolymer has a vinyl unsaturation content of > 6.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, preferably > 7.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, preferably > 12.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, more preferably > 12.0 and < 20.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, even more preferably > 12.0 and < 15.0 per 10 ⁵ carbon atoms, when determined in accordance with ASTM D6248-98 (2012); and a solar cell; b) assembling the first sealing layer, the solar cell and the second sealing layer in such way that the solar cell is completely encapsulated by the first and the second sealing layer; and c) curing the encapsulated solar cell assembly under conditions sufficient to cure, preferably at a temperature of between 100°C and 160°C, more preferably between 120°C and 150°C, for a period of > 5 and < 30 min, preferably of > 10 and < 20 min, the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer.

[0029] The invention also relates to a photovoltaic module comprising: a) a front protection member; b) a back protection member; and c) the cured solar cell assembly according to the invention, wherein the cured solar cell assembly is positioned between the front protection member and the back protection member.

The front protection member may be a transparent sheet, for example a glass sheet or a polymer sheet, that allows the required radiation to reach the solar cells in the solar cell assembly. The back protection member may be formed by a frame construction for the photovoltaic module.

[0030] Examples of cross-sections of photovoltaic modules that may according to the invention in its encapsulant layer(s) are provided in figures 1 and 2, wherein (1) indicates the solar cell layer, each (2) an encapsulant layer, (3) the front protection member, and (4) the back protection member. In figure 3, an exploded view of such photovoltaic module is provided, wherein each of the references (1)-(4) indicate the same as for figures 1 and 2.

[0031] The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Materials

[0032] In the examples according to the present invention, the materials as listed in the below table 1 were used to prepare polymer compositions. Table 1 : Materials

[0033] The ethylene-based polymers PE1-PE4 were analysed to identify material characteristics and properties, the results of which are provided in the table 2 below. Table 2: Properties and characteristics of the ethylene-based polymers

Wherein:

• Density is determined in accordance with ASTM D792 (2008), expressed in kg/m ³ ;

• MFR2 is the melt mass-flow rate, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 (2013) at 190°C under a load of 2.16 kg, expressed in g/10 min;

• C8 content is the wt% of polymeric units derived from 1 -octene in the ethylene-based polymers, as determined using ¹³ C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance on a Bruker Avance 500 spectrometer equipped with a cryogenically cooled probe head operating at 125°C, whereby the samples were dissolved at 130°C in C2D2CI4 containing DBPC as stabiliser;

• Tp, _m is the peak melting temperature as determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with ASTM D3418 (2008), expressed in °C;

• T _c is the crystallisation temperature as determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with ASTM D3418 (2008), expressed in °C;

• M _n is the number average molecular weight, M _w is the weight average molecular weight, and M _z is the z-average molecular weight, wherein M _n , M _w , and M _z are each expressed in kg/mol, and determined in accordance with ASTM D6474 (2012);

• Vinyl content and vinylidene content is the quantity of each of vinyl unsaturations, and vinylidene unsaturations, expressed in number of unsaturations per 100000 chain carbon atoms, and are determined by ¹³ C NMR on a Bruker Avance 500 spectrometer equipped with a cryogenically cooled probe head operating at 125°C, whereby the samples are dissolved at 130°C in C2D2CI4 containing DBPC as stabiliser.

[0034] Of PE1-3, elution diagrams obtained from HPLC analysis at 160°C are shown in figure 4. A PolymerChar 2D-LC instrument was used, with a Polymer Labs PL ELS 1000 light scarttering detector. The HPLC elution was performed at 160°C, at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Thermofischer Hypercarb columns of particle size 7 pm, of 100 mm length and 4.6 mm internal diameter were used. From this figure, it can be observed that PE1 and PE2 have a monomodal chemical composition distribution, indicated by a single peak in the diagram, whereas PE3 has a bimodal chemical composition distribution, indicated by the presence of two peaks in the diagram.

Compositions [0035] Using the above-listed materials, the compositions according to the below formulations were produced by mixing the materials in a glass vessel, maintaining the mixtures at room temperature for 12 hours, then compression moulding each of the compositions at 90°C into a polymer sheet having a thickness of 2-3 mm.

Table 3: Compositions

[0036] For each of the examples 1-4, curing trials were performed to obtain information on the crosslinking behaviour of the compositions. The compression moulded sheets as obtained via the method above were subjected to curing at 145°C, for a period of 30 min, wherein the curing properties were determined in accordance with ASTM D6601-12. This resulted in torque properties as indicated in the table 4 below:

Table 4: Torque properties of compression moulded samples

[0037] In the above table, the examples 1 and 3, and 2 and 4, are particularly relevant to compare to each other, as the properties that typically define these products are similar for these combinations; in examples 1 and 3, the PE1 and PE3 ethylene-based polymers are used, respectively, and in examples 2 and 4, the PE2 and PE4 ethylene-based polymers. PE1 and PE3 have a comparable MFR2 of ca. 14 g/10 min, and a comparable M _w , of ca. 70 kg/mol, but differ in their vinyl and vinylidene content. The same applies to PE2 and PE4; similar MFR2 (ca. 5) and M _w (ca. 90), but different vinyl and vinylidene content.

[0038] The results of the torque measurements for each of the examples 1-4 are presented in figure 5.

[0039] From the results in table 4, one can observe that at the initiation of curing, reflected by the values at 5 min, the composition 1 has a lower torque value than composition 3; the same applies to composition 2 vs. composition 4. From this, one may derive that the period of thermoplastic behaviour at the onset of curing for the examples according to the invention is longer than for the comparative examples. This is beneficial for the manufacturing process of the encapsulated solar cell assemblies, as it allows for a longer period to have the flexibility to apply the encapsulant to the solar cell.

[0040] Further, it can be observed that at a curing time of 10 min, the torque values for the example 1 exceeds that of its comparable example 3, and that of example 2 exceed that of its comparable example 4. From this, one can derive that, using the compositions of examples 1 and 2 one can arrive at the desired degree of curing or crosslinking much faster at a given curing temperature, which is beneficial to the process efficiency in manufacturing of the solar cell assembly; the production time may be reduced by the use of the compositions according to the invention.

[0041] This can also be observed by gel content determination of cured samples. Samples of the materials of each of the example 1-4 where, after having been subjected to curing at 145°C for 15 min, subjected to Soxhlet extraction to determine the gel content of the samples. Values thereof are listed below in the table 5.

Table 5: Gel content of cured samples

[0042] From table 5, one can observe that for both the set of examples using TBEC as crosslinking agent (1-4), as well as for the set of examples using TAEC as crosslinking agent (5- 8), the gel content values for the compositions according to the invention exceed the values of their corresponding comparative compositions.