Reliability of EVA modules

Author

Wohlgemuth, John H. ; Petersen, Raymond C.

Author_Institution

Solarex Corp., Frederick, MD, USA

fYear

1993

fDate

10-14 May 1993

Firstpage

1090

Lastpage

1094

Abstract

The issue of the long term reliability of photovoltaic (PV) modules made with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant is discussed, particularly in reference to the yellowing or darkening observed after long term exposure to high temperature and high illumination levels. Observations of the results of long term exposure of Solarex modules at a number of field sites is reported. Laboratory results on high temperature exposure of EVA and long term exposure of the cell metallization to acetic acid is presented. None of these tests explain the fill factor loss observed in the Arco modules at Carrisa Plains. Detailed examination of a number of Carrisa modules has shown that a major contributor to the power loss is failure of the back interconnects, independent of any EVA degradation

Keywords

packaging; polymers; reliability; solar cell arrays; solar cells; Arco modules; Carrisa Plains; Solarex modules; acetic acid; back interconnects failure; cell metallization; darkening; ethylene vinyl acetate encapsulant; fill factor loss; high illumination levels; high temperature levels; long term exposure; long term reliability; photovoltaic modules; yellowing; Acceleration; Degradation; Electric variables measurement; Laboratories; Manufacturing; Power generation; Power measurement; Sun; Temperature; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1993., Conference Record of the Twenty Third IEEE

Conference_Location

Louisville, KY

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1220-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.1993.346972

Filename

346972