TY - GEN
T1 - The Abrasion of Photovoltaic Glass: A Comparison of the Effects of Natural and Artificial Aging
AU - Miller, David
AU - To, Bobby
AU - Morse, Joshua
AU - Ndione, Paul
AU - Moutinho, Helio
AU - Simpson, Lin
AU - Engtrakul, Chaiwat
AU - Einhorn, Asher
AU - Lanaghan, Clare
AU - Alnuaimi, Aaesha
AU - John, Jim
AU - Newkirk, James
AU - Holsapple, Derek
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of antireflective and/or antisoiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operating maintenance (cleaning). The abrasion of coatings and glass has been explored in a field study, including the soiling-prone locations of Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (Arizona), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (California). Dry-brush-cleaned specimens will be compared to those subjected to artificial-brush testing. The characteristics of material integrity, surface energy, optical transmittance, surface roughness, and scratch size were examined using an optical microscope, contact goniometer (for water), spectrophotometer, interferometer, and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The findings of this study will be used to provide feedback regarding the cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, and coatings used in the PV industry. The study here will also be used to aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.
AB - Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of antireflective and/or antisoiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operating maintenance (cleaning). The abrasion of coatings and glass has been explored in a field study, including the soiling-prone locations of Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (Arizona), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (California). Dry-brush-cleaned specimens will be compared to those subjected to artificial-brush testing. The characteristics of material integrity, surface energy, optical transmittance, surface roughness, and scratch size were examined using an optical microscope, contact goniometer (for water), spectrophotometer, interferometer, and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The findings of this study will be used to provide feedback regarding the cleaning equipment, cleaning methods, and coatings used in the PV industry. The study here will also be used to aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.
KW - abrasion
KW - antireflective coating
KW - antisoiling coating
KW - erosion
KW - operations maintenance
KW - photovoltaic
KW - PV
KW - solar
M3 - Presentation
T3 - Presented at the 46th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC 46), 16-21 June 2019, Chicago, Illinois
ER -
