Field discoloration analysis and UV/temperature accelerated degradation test of EVA for PV

For more than 25 years of lifetime of Photovoltaic (PV) module, the importance of the study about the durability of PV module component is getting higher and higher. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Polymer encapsulation, is one of the important components to protect the cell and improve optical transmittance. Therefore, the study about improving the durability through long term degradation characteristic of E VA based on the environmental stress is essential. This study investigates discoloration degradation mechanism of E VA under Ultraviolet (UV) and temperature complex environmental stress. Chemical/physical change of 25 year-old EVA years was analyzed. Similar amount of UV/Temp acceleration condition which was induced to E VA for 25 years design. After Acceleration Degradation Test (ADT), degradation characteristics were analyzed by using SEM, FT-IR, TGA, and DSC. The result was compared with field-aged EVA.