Durability of ionomer encapsulants in photovoltaic modules

Tracy, Jared; Bosco, Nicholas S.; Delgado, Chris; Dauskardt, Reinhold

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2020.110397

Durability of ionomer encapsulants in photovoltaic modules

Journal Article · Mon Jan 20 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2020.110397· OSTI ID:1598129

Tracy, Jared ^[1]; Bosco, Nicholas S. ^[2]; Delgado, Chris ^[1]; Dauskardt, Reinhold ^[1]

Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) has for decades been the preferred material for photovoltaic (PV) module encapsulation. However, while it is relatively inexpensive and initially adheres well to module components, EVA discolors with age and - as interfacial adhesion degrades - becomes susceptible to delamination, ultimately resulting in reduced module efficiency and shortened service lifetimes. As potential replacements for EVA, ionomer thermoplastic materials cure faster, are more resistant to discoloration and potential induced degradation, and do not evolve corrosive acetic acid, making them compatible with new device materials such as perovskites. Since there is limited information on ionomer durability for PV module applications, a series of field and accelerated laboratory aging studies were conducted to assess ionomer interface stability in the presence of terrestrial environmental stressors. It is shown that adhesion to the glass and cell interfaces of PV modules is inferior to EVA, both before and after aging, rendering ionomers particularly susceptible to delamination after short timeframes. Potential solutions to improve ionomer adhesion are discussed.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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), Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; EE0004946

OSTI ID:: 1598129

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1595184

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5K00-75808

Journal Information:: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal Name: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Journal Issue: C Vol. 208; ISSN 0927-0248

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
adhesion
durability
encapsulation
fracture
ionomer
photovoltaic

Durability of ionomer encapsulants in photovoltaic modules

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References (13)

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