4-8 July 2016
Kramer Law building
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
<a href="http://events.saip.org.za/internalPage.py?pageId=10&confId=86">The Proceedings of SAIP2016</a> published on 24 December 2017

Photo-thermal degradation analysis of single junction amorphous silcion solar module EVA encapsulation

6 Jul 2016, 16:10
1h 50m
Kramer Law building

Kramer Law building

UCT Middle Campus Cape Town
Board: F.499
Poster Presentation Track F - Applied Physics Poster Session (2)

Speaker

Mr Gilbert Osayemwenre (Fort Hare)

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD, N/A)?

N/A

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

Yes

Please indicate whether<br>this abstract may be<br>published online<br>(Yes / No)

Yes

Abstract content <br> &nbsp; (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulation degradation affects the performance of photovoltaic (PV) module. Hot spot formation causes the EVA encapsulation to undergo photo-thermal deterioration, and molecular breakdown by ultra-violet (UV) radiation. This leads to diffusion of chemical particles from one layer to another. During outdoor deployment, the EVA encapsulation in the affected region losses its adhesive strength, when this happens the layer in the affected region undergoes rapid delamination. The presence of photo-thermal degradation is detrimental to the reliability of PV modules because it causes both optical and thermal degradation. Photo-thermal degradation makes the encapsulant in the affected region to be more susceptible to chemical substances and moisture. Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the observed photo-thermal degradation. Why Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for the optical degradation. Our findings show high concentration of Sodium, Phosphorus and Aluminium, which originate from the glass substrate, cell emitter and back contact respectively.

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

No

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

E.L. Meyer email SMamphweli@ufh.ac.za
Fort Hare University

Primary author

Mr Gilbert Osayemwenre (Fort Hare)

Co-authors

Prof. Edson Meyer (FHIT) Prof. Sampson Mamphweli (FHIT)

Presentation Materials

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