Unsymmetric three-layer laminate with soft core for photovoltaic modules

Unsymmetrical laminates are designed for the use in new lightweight construction of photovoltaic modules. One feature of the laminate is relatively thin and compliant polymeric core layer for embedding solar cells. To assess mechanical properties of the core a three-layer beam is proposed as a model structure. For the structural analysis a layer-wise beam theory is developed. Robust relationships between the maximum deflection, the transverse shear strain of the core layer and the applied force in a three-point-bending test of laminated beam samples are derived. Furthermore, a three-dimensional finite element analysis is performed to verify the assumptions of the beam theory. Three-point-bending tests for laminated beams are performed. The experimentally obtained load–deflection curves are compared with the theoretical results.