New Encapsulant by Solutia Combats Module Corrosion

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOA) , the only global one-stop source for EVA, TPU, and PVB based solar encapsulants, announces an advanced encapsulant designed to prevent corrosion in solar cells. The new encapsulant, branded as Saflex® PS41 PVB, also inhibits discoloration, making it an ideal module encapsulant for use in building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081029/AQW096LOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081029/AQW096LOGO)

"Metal electromigration, has long been a reliability concern in the electronics industry," comments Francois Koran, Solutia Photovoltaic Development Manager. "It's highly problematic for the photovoltaic market as well because of panel discoloration."

Metal electromigration is an electrochemical process where metal (e.g., silver), in contact with an insulating material in a humid environment and under an applied electric field, migrates into the insulating material. The net result of metal migration can be either a reduction in insulation resistance or a short circuit which may lead to circuit failure. For solar applications, module manufacturers are concerned that metal migration will affect the long term performance of solar modules which have life expectancies of twenty to thirty years.

Modules designed for use in architectural applications (BIPV) are particularly sensitive to metal migration as any discoloration in the solar module is a critical concern for architects, designers, and module manufacturers. Discoloration in this case would undermine the aesthetic appearance of a building and bring to question the reliability and performance of the solar modules.

Saflex PS41 is the first solar PVB encapsulant designed specifically to protect against metal migration and maintain the original aesthetics of the solar module. The key to this patent-pending technology is the ability of this encapsulant to prevent electromigration when in contact with certain metals such as silver, nickel, and vanadium. It is often the presence of these oxides that leads to module discoloration.

Silver, for example, is a widely used metal in solar cell stacks and conductive adhesives. Elemental analysis shows reduced silver levels in Saflex PS41 compared to other standard encapsulants. "In terms of performance reliability, Saflex PS41 performs exceptionally well," continues Koran. "As for discoloration, the module samples with PS41 compared to standard encapsulants speak for themselves."  Saflex PS41 is IEC certified, RoHS approved and UL recognized.

Solutia is the world's only single source supplier of EVA, TPU and PVB solar encapsulants. With more than 100 years of combined encapsulation process expertise and a track record of rapid innovation, Solutia is uniquely positioned to provide expert analysis and cutting-edge solutions to the worlds leading solar energy companies. To learn more, please go to www.solutia.com/PS41 .

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates," or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those risk and uncertainties described in Solutia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under "Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These reports can be accessed through the "Investors" section of Solutia's website at www.solutia.com   Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or any other occurrence.

Corporate Profile

Solutia is a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company. The company focuses on providing solutions for a better life through a range of products, including: Saflex® polyvinyl butyral interlayers for glass lamination and for photovoltaic module encapsulation and Vistasolar® ethylene vinyl acetate films for photovoltaic module encapsulation;  LLumar®, Vista™, FormulaOne®, Gila®, EnerLogic™, V-KOOL®, Huper Optik®, IQue™, Sun-X® and Nanolux® aftermarket performance films for automotive and architectural applications; Flexvue™ advanced film component solutions for solar and electronic technologies; and technical specialties products including Crystex® insoluble sulfur, Santoflex® PPD antidegradants, Therminol® heat transfer fluids and Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluids. Solutia's businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments. With its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the company operates globally with approximately 3,300 employees in more than 50 worldwide locations. More information is available at www.Solutia.com

SOURCE Solutia Inc.