Abstract
The thermal ageing of an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer used as an adhesive and encapsulant in a photovoltaic module has been investigated. The EVA is used to bond the silicon solar cells to the front glass and backing sheet and to protect the photovoltaic materials from the environment and mechanical damage. Using a range of experimental techniques, including Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis, it was possible to show a link between changes in mechanical properties with both the transient temperature and the degree of long-time thermal ageing. Importantly, it was possible to show that the ageing related property changes were likely due to long term structural changes rather than any modification of the chemistry of the material.
Highlights
In order to support the continuing and growing consumer demand for energy, there is an expanding need for sustainable energy sources [1]
The results showed that ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) undergoes a two-step degradation, where the first stage is acetic acid evolution and the second involves main chain degradation
The approach taken in this paper was to determine the reaction kinetics of thermal degradation of the EVA and to relate the state of degradation to the physical and mechanical properties
Summary
In order to support the continuing and growing consumer demand for energy, there is an expanding need for sustainable energy sources [1]. The lifetime of a PV module is generally limited by the degradation of the constituent parts, leading to a decrease in efficiency and eventual failure [4,5,6,7]. The encapsulant is essential for mechanical protection and electrical insulation and is expected to protect the solar cells from environmental damage, including rain, snow, dust, thermal and mechanical stresses. Degradation of this layer can lead to optical decoupling owing to discolouration, with subsequent power loss, loss in adhesion strength, delamination and corrosion in metallic parts due to acetic acid production [8]
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