Combined Spatially Resolved Characterization of Antireflection and Antisoiling Coatings for PV Module Glass

Abstract

Characterization of photovoltaic (PV) module materials throughout different stages of service life is crucial to understanding and improving the durability of these materials. Currently the large-scale of PV modules (>1 m2) is imbalanced with the small-scale of most materials characterization tools (≤1 cm2). Furthermore, understanding degradation mechanisms often requires a combination of multiple characterization techniques. Here, we present adaptations of three standard materials characterization techniques to enable mapping characterization over moderate sample areas (≥25 cm2). Contact angle, ellipsometry, and UV–vis spectroscopy are each adapted and demonstrated on two representative samples: a commercial multifunctional coating for PV glass and an oxide combinatorial sample library. Best practices are discussed for adapting characterization techniques for large-area mapping and combining mapping information from multiple techniques.

Combinatorial Analysis Methodologies for Accelerated Research: The Case of Chalcogenide Thin‐Film Photovoltaic Technologies

“…[12,14] Even taking into account the mentioned critical points, the combinatorial analysis is a fast and cheap method that can help to optimize PV materials and improve the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells. There exist general experimental designs for synthesizing combinatorial thin-film solar cells, [47][48][49] and the combinatorial approach has been extensively employed for optimizing oxide materials including Cu 2 O, [50] In 2 O 3 :ZnO:SnO 2 , [51] (Zn,Mg)O, [52,53] ZnO, [54] ZnO-SnO 2 , [55] TiO 2 -Cu 2 O, [56] ZnO-SnO 2 -TiO 2 , [57] TiO 2 /Co 3 O 4 /MoO 3 , [58] and SnO 2 -TiO 2 -WO 3 , [59] which can play different roles inside the solar cells such as absorber material, contacts, buffer layers, and window layers. Combinatorial studies have also been reported on nitride [60,61] and perovskite solar cell absorbers.…”

Non-destructive Characterization of Anti-Reflective Coatings on PV Modules

“…Many prior studies have used optical techniques to quantify coating performance [18]- [21]. Other work tested ARC longevity under artificial or natural aging [10], [13], [15].…”