Encapsulant materials for $2/watt terrestrial photovoltaic arrays

Materials properties, cost data, and strawman designs are presented relative to materials for $2/watt terrestrial photovoltaic arrays to meet LSA Project cost goals for 1982. It is shown that encapsulation materials can be categorized in six basic elements: top covers, super-strates, pottants, adhesives, substrates, and bottom covers. The roles of the six basic encapsulant material elements in the encapsulant system are discussed and candidate materials presented.