Indoor study and ageing tests of solar cells and encapsulations of experimental modules

A 30 year service life is expected for photovoltaic modules to make photovoltaic modules attractive from an economical point of view. Accelerated ageing tests under the influence of elevated temperature of 80/spl deg/C, humidity of 70% and under 1500 V DC high voltage stress was used to study the behaviour of solar cell and module properties and the behaviour of encapsulants. EVA and silicone rubber were used to encapsulate the photovoltaic cells into the panel. The current-voltage characteristics in the dark and under illumination and the insulation resistance of the encapsulant have been used to check the behaviour of aged cells and panels.