Microstructure Changes During Failure of PVDF-Based Photovoltaic Backsheets

Stephanie Moffitt, Po-Chang Pan, Lakesha Perry, Jared Tracy, Kaushik Choudhury, Michael Kempe, Xiaohong Gu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus Citations

Abstract

The backsheet layer of a solar module provides a safety and environmental barrier to the high voltages running through the photovoltaic (PV) cells and electrical contacts within the core of the module. However, in the past decade, backsheet cracking has become one of the most observed failure modes in PV module field surveys. In this work, the degradation of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based backsheets is explored. Backsheet samples are either exposed to accelerated laboratory aging (UV light, heat, and moisture) or collected from the field. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, fragmentation testing, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering are combined to develop an understanding of how chemistry and microstructure evolve during aging. Chemical degradation, surface pitting, polymer phase changes, and anisotropic polymer domains are all observed in aged backsheet samples. The results provide insight into the degradation mechanisms that lead to cracking and field failure of PVDF-based backsheets. The comparison of aged PVDF-based backsheets helps to lay the groundwork for limiting polymer-based failure modes in PV modules.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)26-35
Number of pages10
JournalProgress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5K00-80773

Keywords

  • backsheet degradation
  • microstructure
  • polyvinylidene fluoride

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