Accelerated Exposure Tests of Encapsulated Si Solar Cells and Encapsulation Materials
We have conducted a series of accelerated exposure test (AET) studies for various crystalline-Si (c-Si) and amorphous-Si (a-Si) cell samples that were encapsulated with different superstrates, pottants, and substrates. Nonuniform browning patterns of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) pottants were observed for glass/EVA/glass-encapsulated c-Si cell samples under solar simulator exposures at elevated temperatures. The polymer/polymer-configured laminates with Tedlar or Tefzel did not discolor because of photobleaching reactions, but yellowed with polyester or nylon top films. Delamination was observed for the polyester/EVA layers on a-Si minimodules and for a polyolefin-based thermoplastic pottant at high temperatures. For all tested c-Si cell samples, irregular changes in the current-voltage parameters were observed that could not be accounted for simply by the transmittance changes of the superstrate/pottant layers. Silicone-type adhesives used under UV-transmitting polymer top films were observed to cause greater cell current/efficiency loss than EVA or polyethylene pottants.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 6578
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-520-25361; ON: DE00006578; TRN: US200306%%250
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Accelerated Exposure Tests of Encapsulated Si Solar Cells and Encapsulation Materials; National Center for Photovoltaics Program Review Meeting, Denver, CO (US), 09/08/1998--09/11/1998; Other Information: PBD: 8 Oct 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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