It is known that one of the main functions of an encapsulation foil is to protect the module against external aging factors.
But, what about the impact of the lamination foil itself on module reliability? In this study we will focus on EVA based
lamination foils and the impact caused by some chemicals contained in such foils on the module performance. Special
attention will be devoted to the effect of standard components like HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer), peroxides,
UV blockers, the acidity of the master batch and different bulk EVA on reliability of thin film silicon modules. Due to
environmental factors, free radicals can be formed inducing degradation effects. The impact on reliability will be
studied.
The estimation of PV-modules lifetime facilitates the further development and helps to lower risks for producers and
investors. One base for this extensive testing and simulation work is the knowledge of the chemical degradation
processes and their kinetics, as well as of the permeation of water and oxygen into the module, especially of the
encapsulant. Besides ethylen-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA), which is the dominant material for encapsulation, new
materials become available and need the assessment of their properties and the durability impact.
Accelerated durability tests were performed on different EVA materials. The paper reports on several measurement
methods for analysis of the polymers that were used, FT-IR with attenuated total reflection (ATR), and Raman
microscopy, e.g. It is very important to identify degradation products and intermediates in order to identify the leading
degradation processes and their kinetics as well as potential interactions between different processes.
Another important factor for the degradation of the PV-modules and the concerned polymers in particular is the
permeation of reactive substances, especially of water vapor, into and inside the modules. The paper shows results of
permeation measurements of the new materials, as well as FEM-based numerical simulations of the humidity diffusion
within a PV-module what is an important step towards the calculation of the chemical degradation using numerical
simulation tools in the future.
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