BioSolar’s breakthrough BioBacksheet receives official UL material certification

SANTA CLARITA, USA: BioSolar Inc., developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, reported that its innovative BioBacksheet product has received full Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) materials certification with its data published on UL’s online certifications directory.

Dr. David Lee, CEO of BioSolar, commented: “After four years of research and development, followed by another year of grueling materials properties testing, we have finally achieved the UL material certification required by PV panel manufacturers for commercial integration. In the past month, we have received many inquiries and requests for samples from PV manufacturers worldwide. We are now accepting purchase orders for commercial test quantities.”

BioBacksheet is now in the relative thermal index (RTI) measurement phase at UL, which is the last hurdle before commercial solar panels using BioBacksheet can be submitted for panel certification or recertification under UL 1703 prior to sale in the general marketplace. RTI is the temperature below which material will not be compromised by long term thermally induced chemical degradation.

The remaining steps for the full commercialization of BioBacksheet are:
* BioSolar provides UL certified commercial samples to PV panel manufacturers.
* PV panel manufacturers use samples to perform internal tests and certification planning.
* BioSolar receives provisional RTI rating from UL before the end of 2nd quarter 2011.
* PV panel manufacturers submit complete panels with integrated BioBacksheet for UL 1703 certification.
* PV panel manufacturer receives UL 1703 certification.
* PV panels with BioBacksheet available for general sale and installation.

The material standards for backsheets have become more stringent over the past years. To meet these tougher standards, other backsheet suppliers have resorted to using high cost complex multi-layer petroleum based plastic solutions. In contrast, BioBacksheet is an elegant, single layer solution made from renewable bio-based materials that costs less and outperforms existing petroleum based multi-layer backsheets.

“In the coming months ahead, we will work closely with solar manufacturers to get BioBacksheet fully integrated into their production lines. Every new square foot of solar panel coming off of a production line is an opportunity for us to sell a square foot of BioBacksheet. It is a multi-billion dollar market opportunity and we have the best product available in the marketplace to meet the needs of the industry,” concluded Dr. Lee.