The use of polyurethane as encapsulating method for polymer solar cells - An inter laboratory study on outdoor stability in 8 countries

Roar R. Søndergaard, Theodoros Makris, Panagiotis Lianos, Assaf Manor, Eugene A. Katz, Wei Gong, Sachetan M. Tuladhar, Jenny Nelson, Ralf Tuomi, Paul Sommeling, Sjoerd C. Veenstra, Agnès Rivaton, Aurélie Dupuis, Gerardo Teran-Escobar, Monica Lira-Cantu, Subarna B. Sapkota, Birger Zimmermann, Uli Würfel, Andreas Matzarakis, Frederik C. Krebs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A new encapsulation method for organic solar cells has been tested on flexible solar modules and cells embedded in polyurethane, sandwiched between a tempered glass plate and a polycarbonate plate. Panels, each containing 10 organic solar modules/cells, were fabricated and installed for outdoor exposure in eight different countries for 4 months. In order to minimize potential deviations in procedures and equipment, one person was responsible for the fabrication, installation and initial and final IV-measurements of the panels using the same equipment for all measurements and calibrations. The encapsulated modules/cells showed significantly reduced degradation compared with previous studies, with final average efficiencies around 40% of the original after 4 months outdoor exposure. Photodegradation was furthermore found not to be the primary source of degradation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)292-300
Number of pages9
JournalSolar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Volume99
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Encapsulation
  • Inter laboratory study (ILS)
  • Organic solar cells
  • Outdoor stability study
  • Polyurethane
  • Round robin

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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