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Assessing corrosion problems in photovoltaic cells via electrochemical stress testingA series of accelerated electrochemical experiments to study the degradation properties of polyvinylbutyral-encapsulated silicon solar cells has been carried out. The cells' electrical performance with silk screen-silver and nickel-solder contacts was evaluated. The degradation mechanism was shown to be electrochemical corrosion of the cell contacts; metallization elements migrate into the encapsulating material, which acts as an ionic conducting medium. The corrosion products form a conductive path which results in a gradual loss of the insulation characteristics of the encapsulant. The precipitation of corrosion products in the encapsulant also contributes to its discoloration which in turn leads to a reduction in its transparency and the consequent optical loss. Delamination of the encapsulating layers could be attributed to electrochemical gas evolution reactions. The usefulness of the testing technique in qualitatively establishing a reliability difference between metallizations and antireflection coating types is demonstrated.
Document ID
19850052397
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Shalaby, H.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Solar Cells
Volume: 14
ISSN: 0379-6787
Subject Category
Inorganic And Physical Chemistry
Accession Number
85A34548
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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