Application
Solar panels: Elastomers and solar coatings solutions ensure reliable production and long service life
Solar panels must work efficiently for decades while withstanding harsh environments. Specialist materials such as our polyurethane (PU) elastomers can be used to achieve this by enabling precision manufacturing. Our coatings also improve the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for solar panels by decreasing the amount of reflected light and reducing the amount of cleaning effort.
As global solar capacity accelerates, module manufacturers are under growing pressure to boost efficiency, durability, and production throughput. Our photovoltaic portfolio spans the full module build, helping customers keep pace with advanced cell technologies like tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and heterojunction technology (HJT), as well as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) applications.
Low-temperature curing chemistry for next-generation electrodes
HJT cells rely on thinner wafers and delicate layers made from amorphous silicon and transparent conductive oxide (TCO) for higher conversion efficiency. This means their electrodes must be printed with silver pastes that cure at much lower temperatures than conventional cells. Our Desmodur® BL polyisocyanates, used with epoxy or acrylic resins, reduce volume and contact resistance while enabling faster, lower-temperature curing and strong wafer adhesion.
Lightweight coating systems for flexible front panels
Beyond the cell, every module component must withstand years of UV exposure, moisture, and mechanical stress. As curved and portable solar panels grow in demand, front panels need to be both flexible and lightweight without sacrificing optical performance. Our Desmocomp® Ultra translucent PU composite combines high light transmission with strong mechanical strength and weathering resistance. This makes it ideal for both portable PV and building-integrated (BIPV/BAPV) applications.
Weatherproof protection for PV backsheets
PV backsheets must also provide waterproofing, UV protection, and electrical insulation, with HJT modules requiring even higher moisture-sealing performance than PERC or TOPCon. Our Desmodur® Ultra N polyisocyanate crosslinkers support fast drying speeds and strong UV resistance for long module lifespans, with proven compatibility across high-gloss backsheet formulations.
Power Producers need to ensure safe and reliable production of their solar assets. To achieve this, they rely on our high-performance Desmodur® elastomer coating materials which play a key role in the manufacturing of solar panels. The cutting of silicon wafers for solar panel cells is performed with steel or diamond wires guided through pulleys or rollers made with Desmodur® elastomers. These rollers are then robust enough to resist cutting by the wire saw. It also has high tear-resistance and hydrolysis-resistance that translates to a long product lifecycle with low maintenance costs.
Key Benefits
Long service life:
Not having to replace parts often means lower maintenance costs.
Cost effective:
Desmodur® offers a long service life with low maintenance costs.
Ease of use:
Our materials make elastomer-coated rollers simple to produce.
Ultra-tough:
High resistance to abrasion and environmental conditions.
Short cycle times:
Improved material characteristics result in faster production processes.
Coating solutions for every stage of next-generation photovoltaic module production
Our elastomers ensure reliable production and long operational life
Covestro in Solar
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