Creep in Photovoltaic Modules: Examining the Stability of Polymeric Materials and Components

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

42 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Interest in renewable energy has motivated the implementation of new polymeric materials in photovoltaic modules. Some of these are non-cross-linked thermoplastics, in which there is a potential for new behaviors to occur, including phase transformation and visco-elastic flow. Differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry data were obtained and then combined with existing site-specific time-temperature information in a theoretical analysis to estimate the displacement expected to occur during module service life. The analysis identified that, depending on the installation location, module configuration and/or mounting configuration, some of the thermoplastics are expected to undergo unacceptable physical displacement. While the examples here focus on encapsulation materials, the concerns apply equally to the frame, junction-box, and mounting-adhesive technologies.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages262-268
Number of pages7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Event35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2010 - Honolulu, HI, United States
Duration: 20 Jun 201025 Jun 2010

Conference

Conference35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu, HI
Period20/06/1025/06/10

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5200-50802

Keywords

  • creep
  • photovoltaics
  • polymeric materials
  • pv modules
  • solar
  • stability

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Creep in Photovoltaic Modules: Examining the Stability of Polymeric Materials and Components'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this