Investigation into the causes of browning in EVA encapsulated flat plate PV modules

Book · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:208207

Holley, Jr, W H; Agro, S C; Galica, J P; Thoma, L A; Yorgensen, R S ^[1]; Ezrin, M; Klemchuk, P; Lavigne, G ^[2]; Thomas, H ^[3]

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1. Springborn Labs., Inc., Enfield, CT (United States)
2. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States). Inst of Materials Science
3. National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)

The problem of browning in a number of EVA encapsulated flat plate photovoltaic modules has led to the questioning of EVA as a suitable material for such applications. By isolating the variables that could possibly lead to EVA browning, such as module construction, types of glass superstrates, additives, and processing conditions, the authors have been able to determine those significant specific variables that seem to have the most influence on discoloration.When standard-cure EVA-based laminates were exposed to accelerated UV aging, measurable yellowing of those laminates was evident after only one to two weeks exposure, and visual discoloration was observed after four to six weeks. Some samples yellowed quickly and some not at all, and there were significant differences in the rates of discoloration between standard-cure and fast-cure EVA. This paper looks at the results of these studies, especially focusing on the effect of additives in the EVA on the rate of yellowing, and discusses how preliminary results can be used to reformulate EVA encapsulants.

• OSTI ID: 208207
• Report Number(s): CONF-941203--; ISBN 0-7803-1459-X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
ADDITIVES
ADHESIVES
CERIUM OXIDES
COLOR
CROSS-LINKING
CURING
ENCAPSULATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MATERIALS TESTING
OXIDATION
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION