Degradation behaviors of EVA encapsulant and AZO films in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaic modules under accelerated damp heat exposure

Lee, Dongwon; Cho, Won-Ju; Song, Jun‐Kwang; Lee, Jun-Tae; Park, Chi‐Hong; Park, Kyung-Eun; Lee, Heesoo; Kim, Yong-Nam

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2014.12.036

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Nevertheless, polymeric materials are generically quite sensitive to moisture ingress [9]. For example, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymersthe most commonly used encapsulant in PV field -are found to decompose when exposed to moisture producing acetic acid [10], which could further degrade the underlying window layer (such as Al:ZnO in CIGS solar cells) [11,12]. The problematic EVA yellowing during outdoor operation (UV and/or humidity exposure) is also a well-known issue [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Zhang

Guc

Salomon

et al. 2021

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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An effective encapsulation solution for flexible CIGS is urgently needed to ensure a competitive market entry of the technology. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility to effectively encapsulate module-level (10×10 cm 2 ) CIGS/glass solar cells by employing a thin Al2O3 barrier layer grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). As determined by a direct methodology, 10 nm ALD-Al2O3 is proved to be sufficient in preventing electrical degradation of the Al:ZnO (AZO) window layer upon exposure to damp heat test (DHT) and equally effective to encapsulate 10×10 cm 2 CIGS/glass mini-modules by efficient blockage of moisture ingress. CIGS mini-modules encapsulated by ALD-Al2O3 barrier layer retain an average of 80% and 72% of initial efficiency after 1000 and 2000 h of DHT, respectively. Whereas unencapsulated modules drop to an average of 67% (1000 h DHT) and 22% (2000 h DHT) of initial efficiency. Thanks to the presence of ALD-Al2O3 barrier layer, less electrical degradation occurred in AZO window layer and P3 interconnection; also less shunting paths appeared -both led to a lower FF drop in encapsulated CIGS mini-modules. However, an issue of Na migration out of the CIGS layer is observed, which negatively impacts the module stability during DHT.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Zhang

Guc

Salomon

et al. 2021

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

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“…For the characteristic absorption peaks of the vinyl acetate segments, the wavenumbers at 1237 and 1020 cm –1 are ascribed to the asymmetrical C–O stretching vibration and symmetrical C–O–C stretching vibration, respectively. The CO stretching vibration resulted in a peak at 1740 cm –1 . , For the characteristic absorption peaks of the ethylene segments, the peak at 1370 cm –1 is attributed to the flexural vibrations, while that at 1465 cm –1 is ascribed to the deformation vibrations. Moreover, the peaks at 2852 and 2920 cm –1 are associated with the asymmetrical and symmetrical stretching vibration of methylene.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The CO stretching vibration resulted in a peak at 1740 cm −1 . 48,49 For the characteristic absorption peaks of the ethylene segments, the peak at 1370 cm −1 is attributed to the flexural vibrations, while that at 1465 cm −1 is ascribed to the deformation vibrations. Moreover, the peaks at 2852 and 2920 cm −1 are associated with the asymmetrical and symmetrical stretching vibration of methylene.…”

Section: Acs Applied Energy Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multistage Degradation Mechanisms in Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ Photovoltaic Modules Prepared by Co-Evaporation: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability

Cho

Kim

Park

et al. 2019

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

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This study compared the stability and durability of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)-type solar cells prepared using one-step and three-step co-evaporation methods by investigating the causes of degradation in each layer in detail. Measurements recorded using a solar simulator showed that the sample prepared using the three-step method had better device performance owing to the large-grained structure of the CIGS absorber layer, which reduced the carrier recombination. Focusing on the discrepancy in grain size, multifarious degradation tests were conducted according to the IEC 61646 standard to evaluate the stability of the cells under harsh environments such as high humidity (85%), high temperature (85 °C), and mechanical load. Damp heat (85%/85 °C) did not affect the CIGS resistivities in either sample, whereas all the aluminum-doped zinc oxide layers degraded, as determined by confirming the chemisorbed oxygen by exposure to a hot, humid environment. After 200 thermal cycles, the CIGS layers in both samples were mainly degraded while there were no changes in the resistivities of the AZO layer in either sample. The thermal cycling test highlights that the initial resistivities of the one-step sample showed a decisive change before and after thermal cycling compared to the three-step sample. This change might be caused by carriers being scattered at the grain boundaries. Although there were no big differences in the FT-IR spectra before and after thermal cycling, both XRD and XPS results confirmed that not only copper indium sulfide selenium elements of the secondary phase were newly observed by sulfide diffusion from the CdS layer but also that each element (Cu, In, Ga, and Se) was slightly oxidized by the rapid temperature variation from −45 to 85 °C. These results prove that the three-step co-evaporation method can produce cells with much higher stability and durability, even when operated under high humidity and temperature conditions.

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Reliability of transparent conductive oxide in ambient acid and implications for silicon solar cells

Yu,

Bai,

Qiu

et al. 2024

eScience

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Degradation behaviors of EVA encapsulant and AZO films in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaic modules under accelerated damp heat exposure

Cited by 7 publications

References 35 publications

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Multistage Degradation Mechanisms in Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ Photovoltaic Modules Prepared by Co-Evaporation: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability

Reliability of transparent conductive oxide in ambient acid and implications for silicon solar cells

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Degradation behaviors of EVA encapsulant and AZO films in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 photovoltaic modules under accelerated damp heat exposure

Cited by 7 publications

References 35 publications

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Effective module level encapsulation of CIGS solar cells with Al2O3 thin film grown by atomic layer deposition

Multistage Degradation Mechanisms in Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Photovoltaic Modules Prepared by Co-Evaporation: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability

Reliability of transparent conductive oxide in ambient acid and implications for silicon solar cells

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Product

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Multistage Degradation Mechanisms in Cu(In, Ga)Se₂ Photovoltaic Modules Prepared by Co-Evaporation: Toward High Performances and Enhanced Stability