Title:	Novel Photovoltaic Module Design for Desert Climate
Author(s):	A.A. Abdallah, K. Mroue, A. Samara, B. Aissa, M.M. Kivambe, B.W. Figgis, J.L. Lopez-Garcia, S. Grosser, M. Pander, B. Jaeckel, C. Hagendorf, M. Ebert, K. Ilse
Keywords:	Degradation, Encapsulation, PV Materials, Durability, PV Module
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	PV Module Design and Manufacturing
Event:	8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
Session:	3DV.1.10
Pages:	811 - 815
ISBN:	3-936338-86-8
Paper DOI:	10.4229/WCPEC-82022-3DV.1.10
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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A wide deployment of Photovoltaics (PV) in desert climate conditions requires overcoming the impact of the environmental factors on PV performance and reliability. High Ultra-violet (UV) irradiance, in combination with high module operating temperature that may reach over 70 C during summer months even for open rack installations, has shown to cause degradation of the PV module material. In this paper, we investigate the impact of UV irradiance on the properties of the PV module back sheet material. The data obtained from real outdoor testing conditions serves as a design guideline to develop a reliable PV module. For instance, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) measurements on the polyamide-based back sheets confirmed the cracking and powdering of the back sheet material after 4 years of exposure in a desert climate.