Tedlar® —The best solar materials minimize system defects

Selecting the best solar materials is critical for reducing solar panel defects and failures, typically found when lower quality, unproven materials are used. While backsheet failuresare increasing in PVDF, PET, and PA based backsheets, DuPont™ Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets continue to stand the test of time, with over 30 years of proven field performance.

DuPont™ Tedlar® - The Leader in Backsheet Durability Over Time

Recently, a global field-module study was conducted of 275 global installations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Of the backsheet failures recorded in the field, only 0.1% of the Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets showed defects, versus defects found in 56% of polyamide, 23% of PET backsheets, 30% of PVDF backsheets, 3% of FEVE and 35% of glass for installations at least 4 years old.

Defect rates of backsheets after 4 years in field

Data includes installations from newly installed to 30+ years of service. A sharp rise in backsheet defects is seen at year 4 of service life

Only 0.1% of the DuPont™ Tedlar® based backsheets showed defects.

Failures are primarily witnessed when materials are not constructed or tested to withstand the pressures of long-term environmental stresses. Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets stand the test of time and are considered the best solar materials due to their innovative structure, which helps contribute to its unmatched performance and durability over the long haul, no matter the climate condition.

Long-term outdoor exposure is the ultimate test for all module components, material quality and manufacturing quality.

DuPont has conducted visual observations using thermal camera inspections and materials identification by FTIR spectroscopy on modules that have been in the field for up to 30 years. DuPont has conducted these observations among more than 70 solar installations accounting for more than 230MW and over 912,000 individual modules across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

The Best Solar Materials Deliver the Longest Lifetimes

The longer a PV system runs, the lower the cost of electricity and the greater the potential to increase investment returns. Selecting the best solar materials, like Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets, helps extend system lifetimes while reducing the risk of loss due to solar panel durability issues.

These longer lifetimes can be predicted because Tedlar® materials have been subjected to long-term outdoor exposure. Tedlar® PVF film-based backsheets have been tested for over 30 years in various harsh climates (desert, tropics, temperate, marine, mountain) to prove their long-term protection of modules.

These materials help ensure proven performance and lasting value, overcoming harsh environmental stresses to deliver greater peace of mind in your solar system investment.