2024
Solar
Discover how Sika’s structural fast-curing adhesives are moving the solar industry forward.
They’re sleek, robust and virtually invisible. A new generation of powerful roof-integrated solar panels is here! Available in a diverse range of styles, colors and textures, these solar panels also require fast, strong and automated bonding. It’s a challenge that Sika is addressing through strategic partnerships with solar roof manufacturers, optimizing production processes to meet stringent local standards.
The Solar Renaissance: A New Era of Efficiency and Style
The solar industry is in the midst of a remarkable global resurgence. This is being driven by an impressive 80% cost reduction over the past decade, breakthroughs in solar cell technology and government incentives promoting sustainability and a low CO2 footprint. Today solar panels are a common sight in neighborhoods everywhere. To stand out in this relatively uniform market, solar roofing manufacturers are on a mission to find groundbreaking solutions that set them apart. The winners will be those who can combine cutting-edge photovoltaic (PV) electrical power performance, crucial certifications, and streamlined production methods.
Strategic Alliances with Solar Pioneers
Sika now has strategic partnerships with a new generation of solar OEMs. Some are local European enterprises with aspirations for global expansion. Others are prominent regional players. When it comes to sealants and adhesives, they seek forward-thinking collaborators who can help them navigate the world of automated bonding. All want to deliver durable, high-performing products that comply with relevant local certifications and regulations.
At the crossroads of architectural ingenuity and environmental responsibility lies Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). This concept gained widespread attention in 2016 when Tesla partnered with SolarCity to introduce more stylish solar tiles. Yet, the origins of roof-integrated solar panels can be traced to 2005 and a patent from NASA. The whole idea is to echo conventional roofing materials while offering a more refined, aesthetically pleasing alternative to the standard array of aluminum frames, rectangular mounts, and traditional Building Attached Photovoltaics (BAPV).
While roof-integrated solar panels are a relatively new innovation, Sika has been a trusted partner to the solar industry for decades. This collaboration involves everything from extensive R&D expertise in bonding sealants and automation to simplifying the application process for diverse photovoltaic (PV) products. A recent client provided a compelling testimony, emphasizing that their choice of Sika went beyond a specific adhesive; it encompassed the company’s ability to support all project phases comprehensively. From initial design to prototyping, validation, and full-scale production, Sika’s contributions extended to automation solutions, machinery selection, and achieving full certification through local subsidiaries in multiple markets.
In another compelling case, a Dutch customer wanted to manufacture glass-glass roof-integrated solar panels to meet a wide range of tough requirements. These panels had to prevent moisture ingress, minimize the risk of micro-cracks, and have non-combustible properties.
Moreover, they were engineered with a matte finish to seamlessly integrate into the roof structure while maintaining the invisibility of the mounting system.
These high-performance roof-integrated solar panels had a dual mission. Firstly, they needed to effortlessly merge into the architectural design, becoming an integral part of the aesthetics while delivering electricity performance on par with standard solar panels. Their application extended across a diverse range of newly constructed homes in central Europe.
Beyond their visual integration, they were expected to resist dirt, water, and even hailstones (up to 9 cm in size), all while enduring the long-term effects of UV light. Equally crucial, they had to offer easy removal when the need arose.
This case was especially challenging as it meant finding a delicate balance between aesthetics, optimal energy conversion, and the overall building functionality.
To meet this challenge, Sika engineers recommended Sikasil® AS-785, a high-speed, two-component industrial structural silicone adhesive and sealant with an impressive proven track record of more than 20 years. This adhesive is specially designed for rapid and automated bonding, offering exceptional longevity and adhesion properties on a variety of substrates. These include aluminum, ceramic materials, glass, metals, and plastic.
One noteworthy advantage of the two-component system lies in its curing speed. Unlike one-component systems that require a significantly longer time (many hours) for curing before the joined parts are moved to further processing steps, Sikasil® AS-785 cures in minutes. This accelerates the over- all production process and enhances efficiency, ultimately contributing to increased productivity and faster turnaround times.
Moreover, Sikasil® AS-785 consistently maintains its bonding performance across a wide temperature range, enduring conditions as low as -40°C and as high as 150 °C. It comes with a proven track record of providing outstanding durability, even in the harshest of environmental conditions.
Sikasil® AS-785 sets a benchmark for structural performance by meeting the demanding requirements for structural glazing adhesives as defined in EOTA ETAG No. 002. Furthermore, it with stands the rigorous testing and evaluation procedures mandated by IEC 61646 and IEC 61215. This commitment ensures the utmost quality, safety, and performance of roof-integrated solar panels, guaranteeing their ability to endure real-world conditions and consistently meet or exceed expected performance levels throughout their operational life.
Sika’s Technical Competence Centers work in strategic collaboration with customers to help reduce production costs, enhance product reliability, improve aesthetic appeal, and ensure fast turnaround times. Simultaneously, our dedicated Sika Technical Service teams operate in close proximity to our customers, facilitating prompt and reliable testing and support throughout the technical application development process.
To sum up, roof-integrated solar panels represent the epitome of harnessing solar energy in a stylish, unobtrusive, and architecturally appealing manner. In this context, Sika emerges as a facilitator of streamlined, effective bonding that maintains its integrity for 30 years or longer – a driving catalyst propelling advancements in the solar industry.
How can we help move your business forward?
Sikasil® AS-785 offers a multitude of benefits:
- Increased productivity: It cures in minutes compared to 1-component systems, which can take several days, significantly speeding up the production process.
- Versatile adhesion: This adhesive exhibits excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, ensuring a reliable bond.
- Wide temperature range: Sikasil® AS-785 maintains its performance from -40°C to 150°C, making it suitable for various environmental conditions.
- Labor savings: By eliminating the need for mechanical fixing, it simplifies the overall assembly process, saving on labor costs and time.
- Structural and elastic: Compliant with EOTA ETAG 002, it meets structural and elastic requirements.
- Durability: The bonding achieved with Sikasil® AS-785 can last as long as the service life of the roof-integrated solar panels, contributing to long-term reliability.
- Proven technology: With a performance legacy of more than 20 years, Sikasil® AS-785 is built on proven technology.
Incorporating Sikasil® AS-785 into your solar panel assembly processes can lead to increased efficiency, enhanced durability, and greater sustainability, making a significant contribution to the ongoing advancement of the solar industry.
Sika Technical Competence Centers offer a comprehensive range of services to the solar industry, from design and product development to implementation. Here’s a summary:
- Consulting: Customers can benefit from expert guidance when selecting the most suitable Sika products for their specific solar projects. The availability of a dedicated contact person ensures personalized assistance throughout the project.
- Testing: Rigorous testing services are available to assess the strength of bonding, performance under different temperature conditions, and compatibility of components. These tests are crucial to ensuring the reliability and longevity of solar products and solutions.
- Product / System Certification: Sika offers support in obtaining third-party approvals and certifications for products or systems. These certifications serve as independent verification that the product or system meets established standards for performance, quality, and safety.
- Networks: Sika’s extensive network, including collaborations with testing institutes and local engineering and technology partners, provides customers with valuable resources to enhance their solar solutions.
- System engineering: Sika’s expertise extends to system engineering, offering commissioning support and assistance in improving manufacturing processes for greater efficiency.
These services collectively contribute to the success of solar projects, ensuring that products and systems meet industry standards, perform optimally, and are built to last.
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