Title :
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
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;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1993., Conference Record of the Twenty Third IEEE
Conference_Location :
Louisville, KY
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-1220-1
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1993.346948
