The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its SunShot program has granted $4.4 million to 3M. The SunShot program is purported to trim down the costs involved in installing solar photovoltaic systems by around 75% in order to bring down the costs equal to other form of powers without the need for providing subsidies. SunShot aims to reach this ambitious goal before the close of the decade.
As part of its initiative, 3M is planning to speed-up its efforts in the growth and commercialization of its patented Ultra Barrier Solar Film. The award will sustain the introduction of a consistency test program to certify the lifetime operation of 3M film as well as the introduction of an advanced 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film with improved functionality at a cheaper cost. In the process 3M will work jointly with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of DOE placed closed to Denver, Colorado to examine the performance and robustness of its Ultra Barrier Solar Films. Lately, by utilizing its electric-based calcium moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) test NREL has established the moisture vapor rates for the latest Ultra Barrier Film 9L of 3M in the range of 2x10-5 - 8x10-5 g/m2/day.
The Ultra Barrier Solar Film produced by 3M is designed to meet the requirements of the thin film solar producers. The film with its high level light transmission feature and good moisture blocking functions and endurance to all types of weather conditions performs as a perfect substitute for glass. The light weight, large sized flexible solar PV modules of 3M fitted with Ultra Barrier Solar Film realize lower level of balance of system (BOS) costs thus obviating the requirement of metal racking, reducing the cost of transport and time taken for installation.
The 3M Ultra Barrier Film also reduces the cost of production for the manufacturers by assisting them in the production of large surface area modules, thus reducing the costs involved in the production of modules put-together in a roll-to-roll manufacturing procedure effectively.