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Title: Real-Time and Accelerated Solar Weathering of Commercial PV Modules: Preprint

Conference ·
OSTI ID:15000023

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: We report the observed degradation in 6 different types of PV modules as a function of total UV exposure and give a number of recommendations for future weathering tests. Since 1997, using existing ASTM standards for weathering of materials, we have been conducting a solar weathering program on a group of six different types of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The methods used include real-time outdoor, accelerated outdoor, and accelerated indoor weathering. We have employed the technique specified in these standards that quantifies exposure totals by the time integral of the ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. In this paper, we report the observed degradation in the test modules as a function of total UV exposure, and give a number of recommendations for future weathering tests that resulted from our first attempt at a formal test program.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO. (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-99-GO10337
OSTI ID:
15000023
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-520-30992; TRN: US200325%%7
Resource Relation:
Conference: Presented at the NCPV Program Review Meeting, Lakewood, CO (US), 10/14/2001--10/17/2001; Other Information: PBD: 1 Oct 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English