Study on Screen Printable Color Paste Formulation for Color Silicon Solar Modules

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are incorporated into buildings as constitutional elements in building integrated PVs (BIPVs). BIPVs are evident in daily life as various forms on the roofs or skins of buildings. However, their mediocre color (typically black), has led to poor public acceptance. The development of color BIPVs is required to bestow aesthetic value to buildings. Coloring has been primarily achieved using expensive vacuum deposition processes. However, screen printing is becoming widely recognized as a highly competitive manufacturing technique for the fabrication of color BIPVs. Superior characteristics of screen printing include low cost, simplicity, and scalability. In this study, the formulation of color pastes using light interference pigments for screen printing is explored, because the success of screen-printed color BIPVs primarily depends on printability of these pastes. The screen printability of color pastes based on a commercially available two-part liquid paste and an in-house developed carrier vehicle was evaluated. The relativePV conversion efficiency of a color silicon solar module was 90% compared to a reference silicon solar module.