Satinal: Understanding Solar PV Science
27 March 2025
In a recent update, Satinal - Italian manufacturer specializing in STRATO® Interlayers for safety glass lamination and STRATO® SOLAR PV Encapsulants for photovoltaic modules - released a comprehensive technical background on solar panels, highlighting the significant advancements made in the field over the years. The innovations have led to the development of increasingly sophisticated photovoltaic modules, capable of harnessing more solar energy and improving overall efficiency.
Traditional solar panels primarily convert visible light into electricity. However, a significant portion of the sun's energy is carried by ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The latest breakthrough in solar technology is known as UV conversion. This innovative approach leverages the power of ultraviolet rays, a component of sunlight often overlooked in traditional solar panels. By incorporating specialized materials that can absorb and convert UV light into usable energy, UV conversion technology promises to increase the overall energy output of solar panels, even in conditions with less direct sunlight.
Main benefits of photoconversion films in easy-to-understand terms.
- Prolonged Module Longevity: a UV-converting encapsulant substantially mitigates power decline due to UV degradation. By transforming harmful UV radiation into useful light, it optimizes the module's spectral response and reduces performance deterioration.
- Extended Module Lifespan: an encapsulant with UV conversion properties can perform significantly better in reducing power loss caused by UVID. By converting harmful UV rays into beneficial blue light, it enhances the spectral response of the module and minimizes degradation.
- Reduced Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE): by enhancing the longevity and energy output of PV modules, this technology contributes to a lower LCOE, making solar power projects more financially attractive.
- Boosted Energy Production: leveraging the light conversion technology, solar installations experience a significant uptick in energy generation, leading to improved returns for solar project owners.
Conclusion
UV Conversion technology harnesses harmful UV radiation, converting it into beneficial light. This pioneering approach not only safeguards the solar module but also definitely enhances energy output. This encapsulant technology represents a significant leap forward in photovoltaic module performance. By absorbing UV radiation and re-emitting it as blue light, it extends the module's spectral sensitivity, resulting in a tangible increase in energy production.
