Candidate materials for advanced fire-resistant photovoltaic modulesA cooperative, cost-sharing research effort to develop a technology base required to construct fire-ratable photovoltaic modules has resulted in the identification of several high-temperature, back-surface candidate materials capable of raising the fire-resistance of modules using hydrocarbon encapsulants to Class A and B levels. Advanced experimental module configurations have been developed using back surfaces consisting of Kapton, Tedlar laminates, metal-foils, and fiberglass materials with high-temperature coatings. Test results (October 1984; March 1985; May 1985; and October 1985) indicate that several of these advanced module configurations are capable of achieving Class B fire-resistance levels, while a few configurations can achieve Class A levels. The paper summarizes activities to date, discussing flammability failure mechanisms, time-temperature profiles, and results of Block V environmental exposure tests of a candidate material suitable for both Class B and Class A fire-resistance levels.
Document ID
19870032669
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sugimura, R. S. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Otth, D. H. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ross, R. G., Jr. (California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States)
Arnett, J. C. (ARCO Solar, Inc. Chatsworth, CA, United States)
Samuelson, G. (Solavolt International, Silicon Div., Phoenix AZ, United States)