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Title: Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene-based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant

Journal Article · · Progress in Photovoltaics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.2947 · OSTI ID:1417731
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  2. Quanex IG Systems, Inc., Cambridge, OH (United States)
  3. First Solar, Inc., Perrysburg, OH (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Abstract Often photovoltaic modules are constructed with materials that are sensitive to water. This is most often the case with thin film technologies, including perovskite cells, where the active layers are a few microns thick and can be sensitive to moisture, liquid water or both. When moisture or liquid water can ingress, a small amount of water can lead to corrosion and depending on the resulting reactions, a larger local detrimental effect is possible. To prevent moisture from contacting photovoltaic components, impermeable frontsheets and backsheets are used with a polyisobutylene (PIB)‐based edge seal material around the perimeter. Here, we evaluate the ability of a PIB‐based edge seal using a molecular sieve desiccant to keep moisture out for the expected module lifetime. Moisture ingress is evaluated using test coupons where the edge seal is placed between 2 pieces of glass, one of which has a metallic calcium film on it, and monitoring the moisture ingress distance as a function of time. We expose samples to different temperature and humidity conditions to create permeation models useful for extrapolation to field use. This extrapolation indicates that this PIB material is capable of keeping moisture out of a module for the desired lifetime.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Renewable Energy. Solar Energy Technologies Office; USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; DE‐AC36‐08‐GO28308
OSTI ID:
1417731
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1405038
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5J00-68790
Journal Information:
Progress in Photovoltaics, Vol. 26, Issue 2; ISSN 1062-7995
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 9 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Using a butt joint test to evaluate photovoltaic edge seal adhesion journal February 2019

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
edge seal
permeability
moisture ingress
PIB
permeation