Abstract
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is the most commonly used encapsulant material in photovoltaic (PV) module fabrication. However, during long-term operation in the field under hot and dry climates, it turns yellow and finally brown due to action of ultraviolet (UV) light. Therefore, UV-light is a major concern causing photodegradation of encapsulant and significant loss in maximum power (Pmax) of PV-module. The main objective of this study is to provide deeper insights into degradation of electrical parameters in PV-modules under influence of UV-light and temperature, and minimize the impact of UV induced degradation (UVID) by replacing the encapsulant EVA with poly vinyl butyral (PVB). Four polycrystalline PV-modules, fabricated in different combinations from two types of encapsulants, namely PVB and EVA, and glass sheets, namely soda-lime and quartz, are subjected to an accelerated UV stress test for 350 h. Visual inspection, electroluminescence, infrared imaging, insulation resistance, wet leakage current, and maximum power determination tests were performed to characterize PV-modules intermittently throughout accelerated UV stress test. Based on obtained electrical parameters, PVB/soda-lime experienced the lowest 3% loss in Pmax, whereas EVA/quartz experienced the highest 7% loss in Pmax. In other two samples, EVA/soda-lime and PVB/quartz, Pmax reduced by 4% and 5% respectively.
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