BACKFLIP: Identification of Materials and Changes Upon Aging of Emerging Fluoropolymer-Free and Industry-Benchmark PV Backsheets

Sona Ulicná, Naila Al Hasan, Rachael Arnold, Bruce King, Ashley Maes, David Miller, Jimmy Newkirk, Laura Schelhas, Archana Sinha, Kent Terwilliger, Michael Thuis, Kurt Van Durme

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

4 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Extending lifetimes of photovoltaic (PV) modules and decreasing manufacturing and decommissioning costs are motivating research of novel PV module backsheet materials. Backsheet integrity is critical to the safety and performance of a PV module, however, the polymeric materials are often vulnerable to environmental degradation. The long-term durability of emerging polyolefin (PO) materials is being examined to inform regarding the possible replacement of laminated backsheets containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cores and fluoropolymer protective inner/outer layers. This study compares traditional PET-based backsheets with novel, co-extruded, and recyclable PO-based backsheets after being subjected to hygrometric and UV photolytic accelerated weathering. A large set of characterization methods will compare physical, chemical, structural, mechanical, and insulating properties of these backsheets and the resulting mini-module (MiMo) PV performances. The study of chemical composition, glass- and phase-transition temperatures, degree of crystallinity, and crystalline structure are described here.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages1842-1847
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Jun 2021
Event48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2021 - Fort Lauderdale, United States
Duration: 20 Jun 202125 Jun 2021

Conference

Conference48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityFort Lauderdale
Period20/06/2125/06/21

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 IEEE.

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5900-80266

Keywords

  • backsheet
  • DSC
  • DuraMAT
  • FTIR
  • polyolefin
  • WAXS
  • weathering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'BACKFLIP: Identification of Materials and Changes Upon Aging of Emerging Fluoropolymer-Free and Industry-Benchmark PV Backsheets'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this