Title :
A lifetime prediction of PV encapsulant and backsheet via time temperature superposition principle
Author :
Xia, Zhiyong ; Wohlgemuth, John H. ; Cunningham, Daniel W.
Author_Institution :
BP Solar Int. Inc., Frederick, MD, USA
Abstract :
To ensure the longevity and reliability of solar modules, the PV industry has adopted a series of accelerated aging tests. Among these tests, damp heat test performed at 85°C, 85% relative humidity for 1000 hrs provides important information on the degradation of encapsulant and backsheet materials. The purpose of this work is to define the proper accelerated test conditions that represent 25 years of real field life exposure of these materials.
Keywords :
ageing; encapsulation; life testing; solar cells; PV encapsulant; PV industry; accelerated aging tests; backsheet materials; damp heat test; lifetime prediction; solar modules; temperature 85 C; time 1000 h; time temperature superposition principle; Accelerated aging; Crystalline materials; Crystallization; Glass; Life testing; Materials testing; Performance evaluation; Polymers; Protection; Temperature;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2009 34th IEEE
Conference_Location :
Philadelphia, PA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2949-3
Electronic_ISBN :
0160-8371
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.2009.5411628