Accelerated UV Testing and Characterization of PV Modules with different Encapsulants and Glass Sheets /

Abstract

Ultraviolet light is a big concern for the reliability of photovoltaic modules causing photodegradation of encapsulant and a significant loss in power output of a Photovoltaic (PV) module. The main objective of this study is to provide deeper insights into the degradation of electrical parameters in PV modules under the influence of ultraviolet light and temperature. Four poly-crystalline PV modules fabricated using different encapsulants and glass types are subjected to an accelerated UV test for 350h. PV modules were fabricated in different combinations from two types of encapsulants namely Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) together with two types of glass sheets namely soda-lime and quartz. Visual inspection, electroluminescence (EL) and infrared (IR) imaging, insulation resistance, wet leakage current, and IV curve measurements were performed to characterize PV modules intermittently throughout the UV test. Based on obtained electrical parameters, PVB/soda-lime experiences the lowest (12.4W to 12W) 3% loss in maximum power (Pmax), whereas EVA/quartz experiences the highest (13.9W to 12.9W) 7% loss. In other two samples, EVA/soda-lime and PVB/quartz, the Pmax reduces by 4% and 5% respectively. These results are further corroborated with results from EL imaging and IR imaging.