Durability analysis of the [Eu(bphen)(tta)3] down-shifter on Si-based PV modules exposed to extreme outdoor conditions

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2018-06, Vol.276, p.312-319
• Main Authors: González-Díaz, Benjamín, Sierra-Ramos, Marta, Sanchiz, Joaquín, Guerrero-Lemus, Ricardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Down-Shifting; Encapsulation; Exposure; Glass; Iron; Modules; Outdoor measurements; Photovoltaic cells; Polymethyl methacrylate; PV module; Silicon; Solar cells
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2018.04.045

•Ageing of down‐shifters on PV modules under extreme outdoor conditions is reported.•Results reveal an improvement of the total power of the modules.•This improvement vanishes with time when the DS is not encapsulated. In this work, the ageing of [Eu(bphen)(tta)3]/PMMA down-shifters (DS) placed on top of photovoltaic (PV) modules exposed to extreme outdoor conditions is reported for first time. The PV modules have been placed in a defined location in Tenerife, Canary Island, where extreme outdoor conditions exist. The [Eu(bphen)(tta)3]/ PMMA DSs have been directly exposed to the outdoor conditions or covered with a low iron glass. The results reveal an improvement of the total power of the modules with [Eu(bphen)(tta)3]/PMMA down-shifters, 7.06% for the DS directly exposed to outdoor conditions, and a 3.95% for the encapsulated DS during the first operation day, in comparison with a reference module. However, the improvement vanishes after 20 days when the DS is not encapsulated.