The photovoltaic industry chain can be divided into five links: silicon material, silicon wafer, photovoltaic cell, photovoltaic module, and photovoltaic system. Upstream includes the production of raw high-purity polycrystalline silicon materials, the manufacture of monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon, and the production of silicon wafers. The midstream includes photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic modules (glass, brackets, etc.), and inverter electrical links. Downstream is the application side of photovoltaic power generation, including photovoltaic power stations and distributed generation.

    Photovoltaic glass is located in the middle reaches of the photovoltaic industry chain. Due to the poor mechanical strength of crystalline silicon cells, and their electrodes are easily oxidized and corroded by moisture and corrosive gases in the air, its application in the open-air environment is greatly limited. Usually, the photovoltaic glass and the back sheet are sealed in the middle by EVA film, which can protect the battery from oxidation and corrosion of moisture, oxygen, and other gases. The aluminum frame and junction box are then installed, thereby encapsulating the solar cell module.

    Photovoltaic glass can be divided into three main types: ultra-clear patterned glass, ultra-clear processed float glass, and transparent conductive oxide-coated (TCO) glass. Generally, crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules use ultra-clear patterned glass or ultra-clear processed float glass. On the one hand, it can protect solar cells and increase the service life of photovoltaic modules. On the other hand, due to the relatively low iron content of ultra-white patterned glass and ultra-white processed float glass, the light transmittance is higher, which can improve the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules.