Solar panel adhesives: harness the power of the sun

Mounting PV cells onto frames requires an assembly solution which provides a reliable, durable bond and weatherproof seal. Our high-quality solar panel adhesive tapes, tesa® 62510 double coated PE foam tapes, are favored by manufacturers for simplifying solar module assembly thanks to their high ultimate adhesion levels and inner strength. And of course, both tapes are engineered for outdoor use thanks to their UV, water, and age resistance.

PV panel manufacturers need a fast and reliable method to electrically interconnect thin film solar cells. That is why they turn to self-adhesive charge collection tape such as tesa® 60860 to ensure excellent XYZ conductivity for rigid and flexible panels as well as all common cell technologies. tesa® 60860 features a tin-plated copper backing with electrically conductive adhesive (ECA), offering high durability with low electrical resistance.

tesa® ACX^plus is recognized for its versatility and reliability in various high-performance bonding scenarios. It is used in the photovoltaic solar tape application solution, where it provides robust adhesion for frameless PV modules with glass backplates and back rail mounting processes. For example, our tesa® ACX^plus 707x series is recognized according to UL Standard 746C.

Manufacturers are always looking for a reliable, flexible bonding solution to streamline and improve production processes, particularly when assembling solar modules. Our tesa® FrameSelect double-sided PE-foam tapes are the key to high-quality, reliable bonding for frames. The PE-foam backing offers an ideal balance of good conformability and high inner strength. We have optimized the acrylic adhesive for effortless application and secure adhesion on most backsheets.

During the lay-up and lamination process, the solar cells must be kept firmly in place and the strings need to be perfectly aligned. Any product used to fix and align the cells will remain inside the PV module, so it has to withstand long-term aging, elevated UV levels and high temperatures. Our single-sided cell-fixation tape holds solar cells and strings in place, not only for module production but also for the lifetime of the solar module.

Whether you want to bond back rails to photovoltaic modules, a mounting system to heliostat mirrors, or a glass cover to solar thermal modules, you need a bonding solution that offers the durability and performance needed. Our tesa® ACX^plus acrylic core tapes are suitable for diverse and demanding structural bonding applications in the solar industry. Compared to traditional mounting solutions, they offer enormous process and design improvements, including an aesthetic design, simple application and dispensing, as well as fast bonding with no need for drying or curing.

Some photovoltaic modules require bus bars on the sunny side. In close cooperation with our customers, our experts have developed special black-out tapes with low light transmission, high dielectric strength and low-volatility organic component content. These single-sided PET tapes permanently cover charge collectors or bus bars to improve the solar module design. They are also temperature and UV resistant and are designed to be permanently bonded on modules.

Frameless PV modules with glass backsheets are becoming more popular on the market thanks to their aesthetic, clean look and finish. However, damaged glass edges during production, transport, and installation are a concern for many manufacturers. So, we have developed a single-sided self-adhesive tape that is shock absorbent, easy to apply and durable – even for extreme weather conditions. This tape not only reduces the glass breakage rate but seals the unit against water penetration or delamination.

When junction boxes are sealed using wet silicone adhesives, occasionally you’ll find curing times can cause quality issues, such as the displacement of the box or an inadequate bond. Using double-sided foam tapes on the box together with silicone adhesives resolves such problems. The tape is applied as a die cut or in strips, ensuring an immediate bond and a defined gap.