Over the course of the last few decades, the photovoltaic (PV) business has experienced exponential expansion, which has been driven by the overall need for renewable energy sources around the world. Considering that solar energy is one of the most abundant and sustainable kinds of energy, it has emerged as a fundamental component in the process of transitioning towards a more environmentally friendly energy future. The photovoltaic modules, which are responsible for converting sunlight into energy, are an essential component of solar power systems to ensure their performance and stability. Encapsulants must be used in these modules in order to shield the sensitive solar cells from the damaging effects of external elements such as moisture, ultraviolet light, and temperature cycling. However, the encapsulants themselves are subject to aging and acidification, which can result in a decline in performance over the course of time.
Aging and acidification are two issues that are a problem for PV encapsulants
Encapsulants, which are commonly produced from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), are an essential component in the process of protecting solar cells and preserving the structural integrity of the module. Although these materials are extremely important, they are confronted with considerable problems that are associated with aging and acidity. The following are the key concerns:
UV Degradation: Encapsulants can get discolored and lose their transparency if they are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for an extended period of time. This results in a reduction in the amount of light that is able to reach the solar cells.
Degradation caused by thermal cycling: Thermal cycling, in which the modules are subjected to repeated heating and cooling, can result in material fatigue and the production of micro-cracks.
Infiltration of Moisture: Moisture has the ability to permeate the encapsulant, which can result in the corrosion of metallic connections and the delamination of the layers of the encapsulant.
Acid Formation: The materials that make up the encapsulant have the potential to produce acidic chemicals, such as acetic acid, which can cause internal components to corrode and reduce the performance of the module.
Ion migration can be caused by high voltage differentials between the PV cells and the grounded frame, which can result in efficiency losses. This phenomenon is referred to as potential induced degradation (PID).
The Constraints that are imposed by conventional additives
There is only a limited level of protection against these degradation pathways provided by the traditional chemicals that are employed in encapsulants. Standard UV stabilizers, antioxidants, and other common additives frequently fail to offer stability and protection over an extended period of time. As a consequence of this, photovoltaic modules may suffer from loss of performance that is significant and a reduction in their operational lifespan, which has an effect on the economic feasibility as well as the dependability of solar energy systems.
Key Advantages of Utilizing Our Additives
In order to tackle these significant problems head-on, our cutting-edge anti-aging additives for PV encapsulants have been developed. Our additives provide a comprehensive solution to improve the lifetime and performance of photovoltaic modules. These additives were developed specifically to resist the impacts of age, acidity, and PID.
We combine cutting-edge UV stabilizers into our additives, which considerably minimize the amount of photodegradation that occurs in encapsulant materials. This results in superior UV resistance. They guarantee that the encapsulant will continue to transmit light in a consistent manner and will convert energy in the most efficient manner possible by preserving its transparency and physical integrity.
Enhancement of Thermal Stability: The additives enhance the thermal stability of the encapsulants, which in turn reduces the likelihood of material fatigue and cracking during treatment. The PV cells are able to be protected more effectively throughout a larger temperature range as a consequence of this.
Effective Moisture Barrier: Our anti-aging additives improve the moisture resistance of encapsulants, which helps to prevent water from entering the system while also preserving the structural integrity and electrical insulation.
Acid Neutralization: We make use of specialist acid scavengers that neutralize acidic chemicals that are produced within the encapsulant. This helps to prevent corrosive damage and extends the lifespan of the module.
Mitigation of PID: Our approach efficiently prevents PID by adding ion scavengers and conductive additives. This ensures that the electrical performance of the PV module is not damaged in any way.Case Studies
Our photovoltaic additive products
RM211A is an amino additivo anti-acidificazione for EVA
Main use: used for EVA photovoltaic film to improve the anti-aging and anti-acidification properties of EVA film under high humidity and high humidity conditions.
RM210A is an inorganic EVA anti-acidification masterbatch,
Advantages: low addition amount and high efficiency, easy to disperse, and little effect on transmittance.
RM208 is an organic anti-acidification masterbatch, which has no effect on transmittance compared to inorganic types. It can capture cations while preventing acid and has a certain anti-PID effect.
R2320 is an epoxy functionalized EVA anti-PID additive
COACE is committed to the research and development, production and service of photovoltaic encapsulation film additives, and has a research and development team led by many senior engineers and doctors. COACE photovoltaic encapsulation film additives have the characteristics of high transparency, low crystal point, high grafting rate, good fluidity and high resistivity, and are favored by users!
Case Studies and Numbers Regarding Performance
Our additives have shown considerable increases in the endurance and performance of PV modules; these gains have been shown through rigorous testing and usage in the real world:
UV Exposure Tests: Modules that contained our additives exhibited a reduction in transparency of less than 5% after being exposed to ultraviolet light for 10,000 hours, in contrast to modules that contained traditional additives, which exhibited a reduction of over 20%.
Encapsulants that contained our thermal stabilizers did not show any signs of cracking or delamination after being subjected to 1,000 cycles at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius.
During the moisture ingress tests, modules that were treated with our moisture-resistant additives maintained more than 95% of their initial performance even after being exposed to high humidity conditions for an extended period of time.
Following five years of accelerated aging, the acid neutralization tests revealed that the encapsulants that included our acid scavengers did not exhibit any symptoms of corrosive degradation.
After being subjected to high voltage stress for 96 hours, photovoltaic modules that contained our PID resistant additives were able to maintain over 98% of their initial operational efficiency.
Pensieri finali
The photovoltaic industry is confronted with substantial issues that are associated with the aging and acidity of encapsulants. These challenges can have a considerable impact on the performance and longevity of those solar panels. When it comes to providing the essential protection, traditional additives frequently fall short, which results in increased maintenance costs and a shorter lifespan for the operation.
In order to provide a full answer to these issues, our cutting-edge anti-aging chemicals are available. Our additives greatly improve the lifetime and performance of PV modules by boosting UV resistance, thermal stability, moisture resistance, acid neutralization, and PID reduction. These are only some of the benefits that our additives provide. Not only does this ensure that the investment in solar energy systems is better protected, but it also contributes to the overall efficiency and dependability of the generation of renewable energy.
PV manufacturers are able to deliver superior goods that are able to fulfill the demanding needs of today’s market by using our cutting-edge additives. These products provide long-term value and sustainability. Because we are dedicated to both innovation and quality, we can guarantee that our additives will continue to be at the forefront of photovoltaic technology. This will propel the industry towards a more dependable and environmentally friendly energy future.
