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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solar Energy Systems: Survey of Materials Performance (Final Report)

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5228670· OSTI ID:5228670
 [1];  [1]
  1. National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC (United States)

A study was performed to obtain data on the performance of materials in operational solar energy systems, to identify and assess available standards for evaluating materials, to provide recommendations for the development of test method standards for materials and to provide guidelines to aid the selection of materials for use in solar energy systems. During the study, field inspections of twenty-five operational solar energy systems were performed and a questionnaire was sent to 459 manufacturers and installation contractors to obtain materials performance data. The findings of the study are given here. A primary conclusion is that the process of selecting materials for specific applications within solar energy systems is hindered by the lack of an adequate data base of materials performance under the conditions experienced in solar systems and subsystems. Recommendations are made that would help in establishing an improved data base.

Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Commerce; US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
OSTI ID:
5228670
Report Number(s):
NBSIR--77-1314
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English