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Arrhenius Analysis of the Degradation Modes in Emerging Photovoltaic Backsheets

Conference ·
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With increasingly large-scale deployments of photovoltaic (PV) modules to meet global energy demands, interest in better establishing modules' lifespans is growing. We report on the performance of co-extruded polyolefin- (PO)-based backsheets as environmentally friendly alternatives to fluoropolymer-reinforced polyethylene-terephthalate (PET)-based backsheets using three hygrometric accelerated test conditions. After completing cumulative 4000 hours of aging, we analyzed data from electrical performance (I-V), surface roughness (gloss), and appearance (L, a*, b* color) characterizations to quantify degradation rates, quantify the corresponding activation energy, and cross-correlate between the characteristics examined, thereby providing insights into the relationship between physical characteristics and operating performance.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1909903
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-5K00-85043; MainId:85816; UUID:fde0dc3a-a210-4b8c-9e85-6fae80dee732; MainAdminID:68491
Resource Relation:
Conference: Presented at the 2022 IEEE 49th Photovoltaics Specialists Conference (PVSC), 5-10 June 2022, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Related Information: 82633
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Drivers for the cracking of multilayer polyamide‐based backsheets in field photovoltaic modules: In‐depth degradation mapping analysis journal March 2020
Encapsulation of PV modules using ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer as a pottant: A critical review journal September 1996
Increased reliability of modified polyolefin backsheet over commonly used polyester backsheets for crystalline PV modules journal January 2020
Correlation of the loss in photovoltaic module performance with the ageing behaviour of the backsheets used: Influence of backsheet on photovoltaic module performance journal January 2015
A semi-empirical method of predicting the lifetime of EVA encapsulant and polyester based backsheet materials conference August 2009
Hydrolysis kinetics of condensation polymers under humidity aging conditions journal July 2013

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Related Subjects

SOLAR ENERGY
BackFLIP
backsheet
damp heat testing
durability
DuraMAT
IEC TS 62788-7-2
PET
photovoltaic (PV)
polyamide
polyolefin
UV weathering