Abstract
A certain deterioration of solar panels under long-term working conditions can be attributed to the effect of humidity entrapment or penetration in the encapsulate polymer. Afterwards, corrosion of contacts can be initiated, with device failure as a consequence. A measuring technique that allows the monitoring of humidity changes inside the finished solar panel is described. The electrical characteristics of the encapsulating polymer are monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, using screen-printed interdigitated electrodes as electrical contacts. The alumina substrate containing the sensing structure is encapsulated under circumstances identical to those used for the solar cells, and the humidity-related electrical characteristics of the encapsulating polymer itself are used as the sensor signal. The influence of the construction of multilayer structures with different protective top layers (glass, Tedlar®) on humidity is reported.
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