Solar PV’s installed power capacity is poised to surpass that of coal by 2027, becoming the largest in the world. Cumulative solar PV capacity almost triples in our forecast, growing by almost 1 500 GW over the period, exceeding natural gas by 2026 and coal by 2027. Annual solar PV capacity additions increase every year for the next five years.
Despite current higher investment costs due to elevated commodity prices, utility-scale solar PV is the least costly option for new electricity generation in a significant majority of countries worldwide. Distributed solar PV, such as rooftop solar on buildings, is also set for faster growth as a result of higher retail electricity prices and growing policy support to help consumers save money on their energy bills.
Solar panels use five major types of rubber products:
· Solar panel seam gaskets
· Solar inverter enclosure gaskets
· UL 94 flame-resistant gaskets
· EMI shielding gaskets
· Molded rubber parts
INO can supply solar panel manufacturers with all of these rubber products.
INO can be one-stop supplier, who also can support companies that make solar canopy, solar carport, and solar awning systems.
INO also offers added-value services such as kitting all of the rubber parts you need for a build or installation.
Solar panel seam gaskets fill the gaps between adjacent solar panels. These T-shaped extrusions press into place between two aluminum frames and seal a gap with a specific size. For the best result, clean the aluminum surfaces with soap and water prior to gasket installation. Later, your installer can apply a liquid sealant to the ends of cut rubber lengths and apply a flat, T-shaped cap over the intersections.
Most solar panel seam gaskets are made of EPDM, a synthetic rubber that resists sunlight, ozone, oxygen, weather, water, and a wide range of outdoor temperatures. Sometimes, weather-resistant PVC plastic is used instead. Solar panel manufacturers can also use gasket materials that are co-extruded from a flexible plastic, such as polyethylene, and a water-resistant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as Santoprene.
INO can supply you with coils of extruded rubber or plastic that you cut yourself and install on-site or within your solar panel manufacturing facility. We can also supply you with continuous gaskets that let you minimize the use of butt joints, which are prone to leaking. When you buy fabricated gaskets instead of coils, you can speed up gasket installation and reduce material waste from accidental miscuts.
Contact us to discuss or keep reading to learn more.