Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors of terrestrial solar cells. 1981 summary report
Reported is a program to investigate the reliability attributes of terrestrial solar cells. The accelerated stress test results obtained on all cells since the inception of the program are summarized, as well as specific results obtained during the fourth year's effort. Tested cells were grouped according to the method used to form the conductive metallization layer: solder dipped, vacuum deposited, screen printed, and copper plated. Although metallization systems within each group were quite similar, they differed in numerous details according to the procedures employed by each manufacturer. Test results were summarized for all cells according to both electrical degradation and catastrophic mechanical changes. These results indicated a variability within each metallization category which was dependent on the manufacturer. Only one manufacturer was represented in the copper plated category and, although these showed no signs of detrimental copper diffusion during high temperature testing, their metallization was removed easily during high humidity pressure cooker testing. Preliminary testing of encapsulated cells showed no major differences between encapsulated and unencapsulated cells when subjected to accelerated testing. While further work must be performed, this seems to indicate the major role of encapsulation to be mechanical protection. An overview is given of the data collection and analysis procedures developed on the contract.
- Research Organization:
- Clemson Univ., SC (USA). Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- DOE Contract Number:
- NAS-7-100-954929
- OSTI ID:
- 7012391
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/JPL/954929-82/9; ON: DE82019860
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells. Fifth quarterly report, 9 March 1979-1 July 1979
Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells. Sixth quarterly report, July 1-October 1, 1979
Related Subjects
SOLAR CELLS
AGING
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RELIABILITY
COPPER
DIPPED COATINGS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ENCAPSULATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FAILURES
PLATING
SCREEN PRINTING
THERMAL CYCLING
VACUUM COATING
COATINGS
DATA
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion