The use of polyurethane as encapsulating method for polymer solar cells—An inter laboratory study on outdoor stability in 8 countries

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells 2012-04, Vol.99, p.292-300
• Main Authors: Søndergaard, Roar R., Makris, Theodoros, Lianos, Panagiotis, Manor, Assaf, Katz, Eugene A., Gong, Wei, Tuladhar, Sachetan M., Nelson, Jenny, Tuomi, Ralf, Sommeling, Paul, Veenstra, Sjoerd C., Rivaton, Agnès, Dupuis, Aurélie, Teran-Escobar, Gerardo, Lira-Cantu, Monica, Sapkota, Subarna B., Zimmermann, Birger, Würfel, Uli, Matzarakis, Andreas, Krebs, Frederik C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Encapsulation; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Inter laboratory study (ILS); Natural energy; Organic solar cells; Outdoor stability study; Photochemistry; Photoelectric conversion; Photovoltaic conversion; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); Polyurethane; Round robin; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2011.12.013

A new encapsulation method for organic solar cells has been tested on flexible solar modules and cells embedded in polyurethane, sandwiched between a tempered glass plate and a polycarbonate plate. Panels, each containing 10 organic solar modules/cells, were fabricated and installed for outdoor exposure in eight different countries for 4½ months. In order to minimize potential deviations in procedures and equipment, one person was responsible for the fabrication, installation and initial and final IV-measurements of the panels using the same equipment for all measurements and calibrations. The encapsulated modules/cells showed significantly reduced degradation compared with previous studies, with final average efficiencies around 40% of the original after 4½ months outdoor exposure. Photodegradation was furthermore found not to be the primary source of degradation. [Display omitted] . ► An outdoor inter laboratory stability study on rigid panels was performed in eight countries. ► Deviations by human factors limited by fabrication and measurements performed by a single person. ► Fast low temperature encapsulation method with reduced degradation compared to previous studies. ► Photodegradation showed not to be the main source of degradation.