Properties of Encapsulated CIGS Cells in 85 degrees C/85%RH
This paper concerns studies of encapsulated cells subjected to an environment of 85ºC and 85%RH (85/85). Cells are encapsulated with PNNL multi-layer coatings (referred to as PML coatings) utilizing alternating layers of Al2O3, and an advanced polymer. The new polymer has been determined to withstand the 85/85 environment. Two types of cells were used for these studies, namely, SSI mini-modules (which are actually CIGSS devices) and CIGS cells provided by the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC). Cells were coated and stressed at 85/85 in an environmental chamber. Current-voltage characteristics were acquired before and after coating, and periodically after being subjected to the 85/85 environment. Whereas coated SSI modules were determined to last 1000 hours when stressed at 60ºC/90%RH without degradation, the efficiency of these modules degrade to a level of 60% of the beginning-of-life value when stressed at 85/85. Encapsulated IEC cells, however, have exhibited extraordinary results. The efficiency of several encapsulated cells did not decrease for 1500 hours in an 85ºC/85%RH environment. This results establishes a benchmark for stressed, encapsulated CIGS cells.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 972940
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-60866; 830403000; TRN: US201005%%380
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: The 33rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC '08, May 11-16, San Diego, California, 676-678
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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