The Abrasion of Photovoltaic Glass: A Comparison of the Effects of Natural and Artificial Aging

Journal Article · Thu Nov 14 23:00:00 EST 2019 · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2019.2947029· OSTI ID:1593087

Miller, David C. ^[1]; Einhorn, Asher ^[1]; Lanaghan, Clare ^[1]; Newkirk, James ^[2]; To, Bobby ^[1]; Holsapple, Derek ^[1]; Morse, Joshua ^[1]; Ndione, Paul F. ^[1]; Moutinho, Helio R. ^[1]; Alnuaimi, Aaesha ^[3]; John, Jim J. ^[3]; Simpson, Lin J. ^[1]; Engtrakul, Chaiwat ^[1]

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1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
3. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of antireflective and/or antisoiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operational maintenance (cleaning). The abrasion of coatings and glass has been explored in a field study, including the soiling-prone locations of Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (Arizona), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (California). Dry-brush-cleaned specimens will be compared with those subjected to artificial-brush testing. The characteristics of material integrity, surface energy, optical transmittance, surface roughness, and scratch size were examined using an optical microscope, contact goniometer (for water), spectrophotometer, interferometer, and atomic force microscope, respectively. The findings of this article will be used to provide feedback regarding the cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, and coatings used in the PV industry. The study here will also be used to aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1593087
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1599752
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA--5K00-73164
• Journal Information: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Journal Name: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 10; ISSN 2156-3381
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
abrasion
antireflective coating
antisoiling coating
erosion
operations maintenance