Predicting Encapsulation Delamination in Photovoltaic Modules
Sprache des Titels:
Englisch
Original Kurzfassung:
PV modules are expected to last upwards of 30 years
in the field. Modules are subjected to harsh operating
conditions and undergo degradation due to UV
exposure, temperature cycling, and humidity. The
critical fracture energy, GC, is the amount of energy the
module can absorb before failure, and characterizes
the module?s resistance to delamination. A novel
predictive model for simulating the change in the PV
module?s GC over field aging times has been
developed by incorporating the degradation reactions
in a rigorous fracture mechanics framework. To
characterize the change in the fracture energies and
mechanical properties of field and lab aged PV
modules delamination and nanoindentation
mechanical tests have been performed corroborating
the implemented model. Current work deals with the
generalization of the model to allow for efficient
development and screening of novel encapsulation
materials such as polyolefin elastomers.