Accelerated UV-aging of acrylic materials used in PV concentrator systems

Author

Mahoney, T.R. ; Cannon, J.E. ; Woodworth, J.R.

Author_Institution

Sandia Nat. Labs., Albuquerque, NM, USA

fYear

1993

fDate

10-14 May 1993

Firstpage

1216

Lastpage

1221

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a systematic study comparing the optical properties of two acrylic formulations as a function of accumulated ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Outdoor weathering was done at DSET Laboratories using real-time and accelerated testing for a period of 5 years. Accelerated UV exposure (~20-suns) was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories using the filtered spectrum of a xenon arc lamp. A detailed comparison between filtered-lamp spectra and outdoor solar irradiance is presented showing the importance of the 300-325 nm wavelength range when comparing results of outdoor and indoor UV exposure. Additional optical properties data are presented for acrylic materials that have undergone real-time exposure at Sandia for 36.5 years

Keywords

ageing; life testing; optical properties of substances; semiconductor device testing; solar cells; solar energy concentrators; 300 to 325 nm; 36.5 y; PV concentrator systems; UV exposure; accelerated UV aging; acrylic materials; optical properties; outdoor weathering; real-time testing; solar cells; solar irradiance; Acceleration; Degradation; Laboratories; Lamps; Lenses; Life estimation; Optical filters; Optical materials; Plastics; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1993., Conference Record of the Twenty Third IEEE

Conference_Location

Louisville, KY

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1220-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.1993.346948

Filename

346948