27 October 2011
BioSolar, Inc. today reported that the company has received the long-awaited provisional Relative Thermal Index (RTI) recognition from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for its BioBacksheet.
BioSolar is the developer of a technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. The RTI is the temperature below which a material will not be compromised by long-term thermally induced chemical degradation.
UL certification is required for all electronic products and components, such as solar panels, prior to their sale in the general marketplace. BioSolar received UL materials certification for BioBacksheet in February 2011. Since then, UL has been performing long-term thermal stability testing on BioBacksheet. The official provisional RTI designation from UL allows solar panel manufacturers to proceed with confidence in integrating BioBacksheet into their panels for full UL certification.
BioBacksheet is UL-approved for use in solar panels. It is a direct replacement for conventional backsheets currently used in more than 70% of solar panels in the world. It is the necessary bottom layer of a fully assembled solar panel. BioBacksheet features the following properties:
• Low cost—Modification of bio-based polymers derived from caster beans results in a lower cost backsheet than conventional petroleum-based backsheets.
• High performance—Advanced materials engineering enables BioBacksheet to exceed many performance characteristics of conventional backsheets.
• High panel efficiency—BioBacksheet dissipates heat away from solar cells 70% faster than many conventional backsheets, allowing the cells to operate at a lower temperature and resulting in higher power output.
• Green—BioBacksheet lets solar manufacturers improve their profit margins while being socially responsible. BioBacksheet has also received the USDA BioPreferred Certification, giving BioBacksheet solar panels preferred purchase consideration by all US government procurement agencies.
