Honeywell's PowerShield 3W has been designed to protect the electrical circuits in solar panels from moisture, thereby protecting the electrical charges within the modules and retaining maximum power output whilst guaranteeing electrical safety - reports the company. It is bound by a proprietary adhesive that has been specifically designed for PV and which helps to make the laminate durable.

The company claims that the laminate has withstood more than 3,000 hours of independent testing involving accelerating ageing exposure at 85°C (185°F) without losing its integrity. The adhesive, the company claims, is resistant to discoloration due to aging which will help panels maintain reflectivity and the laminate has also been designed to resist environmental degradation from sunlight, temperature, humidity, acids, salts and other chemicals.

Honeywell has over 30 years of experience in the manufacture of high-barrier films for a variety of uses and is actively involved in the R&D of PV backsheets. It has laboratories in New Jersey and Shanghai, China.