Durability and Reliability of Polymers and Other Materials in Photovoltaic Modules

ISBN-13: 9780128115459 / Angielski / Twarda / 2019 / 356 str.

Hsinjin Yang; Roger French; Laura Bruckman

Opis

Durability and Reliability of Polymers and Other Materials in Photovoltaic Modules describes the durability and reliability behavior of polymers used in Si-photovoltaic modules and systems, particularly in terms of physical aging and degradation process/mechanisms, characterization methods, accelerated exposure chamber and testing, module level testing and service life prediction. Demand for photovoltaics continues to grow worldwide, and polymer photovoltaics can offer significantly lower production costs compared to earlier approaches. This has the potential to significantly improve the value proposition of solar energy; however, photovoltaic module lifetime and degradation mechanisms are of significant importance. The book compares polymeric materials to traditional materials used in solar applications, explaining the degradation pathways of the different elements of a photovoltaic module, including encapsulant, front sheet, back sheet, wires and connectors, adhesives, sealants and more. The book shows degradation causes and the specific influence this degradation has on materials and overall PV performance. The book also shows the tests needed for the evaluation of polymer degradation and aging, as well as accelerated tests to aid in materials selection. Providing practical guidance, as well as giving an outlook on the future of materials in photovoltaic applications, the book is the first comprehensive reference work in the area of photovoltaic polymer durability.

• Provides comprehensive coverage of photovoltaic polymers, from the fundamental degradation mechanisms to specific case studies of durability and materials failure
• Offers practical, actionable information in relation to service life prediction of photovoltaic modules and accelerated testing for materials selection
• Includes up-to-date information and interpretation of safety regulations and testing of photovoltaic modules and materials

Spis treści

1. Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Cells 2. Criteria for the Selection of PV Cell Components 3. Overview: Power Degradation and Failure of PV Systems 4. Overview: durability vs. reliability of common PV polymers/materials 5. Degradation Science and Pathways of PV Systems 6. Degradation processes of PV cells and interconnections 7. Degradation process and mechanism of Encapsulant 8. Degradation process and mechanism of Back Sheet 9. Unique aspects of BIPV Durability and Reliability, including roof integration 10. Degradation processes and mechanisms of PV Wires and Connectors 11. Degradation processes and mechanisms of PV System Adhesives/Sealants and Junction Boxes 12. Accelerated environmental chambers and testing of PV: Q-Lab, Atlas and SPHERE 13. Results of Module Level Testing 14. Service Life Prediction of PV via materials degradation 15. Future Perspectives