Solar cells, encapsulants, glass, backsheets, and virtually every PV module component have seen rapid changes and improvements over the past 10 years. During that time, module frames have seen relatively little innovation and remain a simple piece of formed aluminum. However, quality concerns, supply chain diversification, domestic content rules, and emissions reduction requirements have frame manufacturers eyeing alternative materials. And while aluminum isn’t going away, suppliers of steel and glass composite frames argue these materials come with various advantages.
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Photo: Nextpower
NX CoreFrame module frames are roll formed from steel coils, requiring more than 50 bending steps. The frames are designed to be a drop in replacement requiring no process changes for factories currently working with aluminum frames. Aluminum has long been established as the standard material for module frames. The 2026 International Technology Roadmap for …
