A5071033899- Silicon and Solar Cell Technologies
- Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques
- Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
- solar cell performance optimization
- Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Failure Analysis
- Perovskite Materials and Applications
- Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films
- Thin-Film Transistor Technologies
- Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques
- Electronic Packaging and Soldering Technologies
- Non-Destructive Testing Techniques
- Solid-state spectroscopy and crystallography
- Risk and Safety Analysis
- Electrical Fault Detection and Protection
- Green IT and Sustainability
- Probabilistic and Robust Engineering Design
- Power System Reliability and Maintenance
- Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques
- Reliability and Maintenance Optimization
- Structural Analysis of Composite Materials
- Energy and Environment Impacts
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Machine Learning in Materials Science
- Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
- Electrostatic Discharge in Electronics
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
2018-2025
National Institute of Standards and Technology
2023
DuPont (United States)
2023
Applied Physical Sciences (United States)
2023
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
2022
Electric Power Research Institute
2022
University of Toledo
2022
Sandia National Laboratories
2022
University of Washington
2022
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
2019
The light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used in indoor testing of perovskite solar cells do not expose them to the levels ultraviolet (UV) radiation that they would receive actual outdoor use. We report degradation mechanisms p-i-n-structured under unfiltered sunlight and with LEDs. Weak chemical bonding between perovskites polymer hole-transporting materials (HTMs) transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) dominate accelerated A-site cation migration, rather than direct HTMs. An aromatic phosphonic...
Combining two or more junctions into a tandem solar cell promises to deliver leap in power conversion efficiency that will help sustain continued growth installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity. Although tandems are now on the roadmaps of many PV manufacturers, much work remains before they ready for mass deployment. Accelerating their development requires advances fronts. In this article, we outline fundamentals and status PV, considering multiple technology pairings architectures. We then...
Abstract Previously undiscovered failure modes in photovoltaic (PV) modules continue to emerge field installations despite passing protocols for design qualification and quality assurance. Failure detect these prior widespread use could be attributed the limitations of present‐day standard accelerated stress tests (ASTs), which are primarily designed identify known degradation or at time development by applying simultaneous sequential factors (usually two most). Here, we introduce an testing...
Abstract Commercial backsheets based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) can experience premature field failures in the form of outer layer cracking. This work seeks to provide a better understanding changes material properties that lead crack formation and find appropriate accelerated tests replicate them. The PVDF-based backsheet have different structure composition, is often blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer. We observed depletion PMMA upon aging sequential (MAST)...
The development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has ushered in a new era technology, characterized by its exceptional efficiency and cost-effective production. However, the soft fragile nature perovskites makes module encapsulation challenging. Polyolefin elastomers (POEs) have been reported to be promising encapsulants for modules. little research exists on identifying criteria among different types POEs as encapsulants. Here, two with morphologies were compared first POE crystallizes...
Abstract Glass/glass (G/G) photovoltaic modules are quickly rising in popularity, but the durability of modern G/G packaging has not yet been established. In this work, we examine interfacial degradation modes and glass/transparent backsheet under damp heat (DH) with without system bias voltage, comparing emerging polyolefin elastomer (POE) industry‐standard poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) encapsulants. We investigate transport ionic species at cell/encapsulant interfaces,...
Abstract Field testing, failure analysis, and understanding of degradation mechanisms are essential to advancing metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaic (PV) technology toward commercialization. Here, we present performance data from up 1 year outdoor testing MHP modules in Golden, Colorado. The module encapsulation architecture encapsulant materials have a significant impact on reliability, with containing polyolefin elastomer (POE) addition desiccated polyisobutylene (PIB) edge seal...
Quasi-static structural finite-element models of an aluminum-framed crystalline silicon photovoltaic module and a glass-glass thin-film were constructed validated against experimental measurements deflection under uniform pressure loading. Specific practices in the computational representation assembly identified as influential to matching observations. Additionally, parametric analyses using Latin hypercube sampling performed propagate input uncertainties related materials, dimensions,...
Novel methods for advancing reliability testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules and materials have recently been developed. Combined-accelerated stress (C-AST) is one such method which has demonstrated reliable reproduction some field-failures were not reproducible by standard certification tests. To increase confidence assist in the development C-AST, other new protocols, it important to validate that failure modes observed mechanisms induced are representative those field, product unrealistic...
Abstract Motivated by the rapidly rising deployment of bifacial monocrystalline‐silicon photovoltaics (PV), we investigate durability various PV module packaging configurations with transparent coverings on both front and rear sides module. We use a series passivated emitter cell (p‐PERC) mini‐modules systematically varying outer cover materials (glass/glass, G/G, or glass/transparent backsheet, G/TB) encapsulant chemistries (poly [ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate], EVA; polyolefin, POE). study...
Herein, electroluminescence (EL) and thermal imaging are used to examine p–i–n metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaic (PV) mini‐modules (MA 0.6 FA 0.4 PbI 3 , 20 cells, 78 cm 2 ) before after indoor‐accelerated stress testing or outdoor deployment. Distinct spatial patterns in the EL images emerge, which depend on external conditions experienced by mini‐module. Imaging results highlight a distribution of dark speckle features that dominate UV stress, attributed widespread interfacial...
Combining the stress factors of natural environment into a single test for photovoltaic modules requires fewer modules, parallel tests, and makes it possible to discover potential weaknesses that are not known textbfa priori in new module designs. In this work, we present necessary textbfhardware textbfsoftware capabilities developing, implementing, performing Combined-Accelerated Stress Testing (C-AST) protocols using off-the-shelf equipment accessible software development tools, with aim...
Combined‐accelerated stress testing (C‐AST) is developed to establish the durability of photovoltaic (PV) products, including for degradation modes that are not a priori known or examined in standardized tests. C‐AST aims comprehensively represent sample, factors, and their combinations using levels at statistical tails natural environment. Acceleration factors relevant climate sequences within cycle with respect Florida USA estimated selected mechanisms. It found outer backsheet polymer...
The viability of novel coextruded, fluoropolymer-free backsheets for photovoltaic (PV) modules has been questioned as a result large number early-life backsheet failures in PV installations containing one the earliest co-extruded polyamide (PA)-based to reach market, "AAA." New reliability testing protocols have recently developed and applied reproduce observed field evaluate durability materials designs prior commercialization. A new PA-based was tested using combined-accelerated stress...
In this work, we applied time-varying air pressure to a PV module containing newly cracked cells. The test used new dynamic mechanical acceleration (DMX) apparatus. We cycles similar natural, wind-driven cycles. Compared with standard load (DML) tests, much lower (10 300 Pa root mean square) and many more (one million at each of four levels). present case study on single cell in commercial module. monitored electrical continuity loss across cracks using electroluminescence imaging. 10-Pa...
Solar panels (modules) based on metal halide perovskites are following a fast track to commercialization. Unlike more established solar cell materials, there not yet decades-long field observations increase consumer confidence. The "physics and chemistry of failure" approach is used in other industries estimates product degradation laboratory accelerated tests integrated with an understanding mechanisms. This work uses that quantify the relationship between projected behavior for perovskite...
In this work, the mechanical properties of encapsulation materials for photovoltaic modules have been studied. A finite element model has developed to simulate degradation solder bonds within subjected different environmental conditions. Various polymeric encapsulants are characterized using constitutive techniques and included in model. It is shown that rates dependent on behavior encapsulant some may cause higher or lower than others depending use-environment.
Electroluminescence (EL) imaging is a powerful tool used to identify defects in photovoltaic solar cells. Typically, this type of characterization performed the dark using current injection that equals short-circuit measured at standard test conditions (STC). Restricting such temperature range limits information obtained about module and However, it not trivial develop would allow for EL be under wider temperatures. Here we demonstrate an situ capability developed within environmental...
Fast, non-destructive, outdoor-compatible methods for photovoltaic module characterization are essential monitoring quality without disrupting energy production. UV-fluorescence (UVF) imaging of the encapsulant layer can be used solar cell crack detection in field. We show that UVF patterns vary widely between modules and types applied stress. propose combining accelerated stress testing (e.g. thermal cycling damp heat) with field investigations help build understanding different rates...