Investigation of Damp Heat aging on soda-lime glass for photovoltaic applications

Vincent Guiheneuf (1) , Fabien Delaleux (1) , Olivier Riou (1) , Pierre-Olivier Logerais (1) , Jean-Félix Durastanti (1)

1 CERTES EA 3481 - Centre d'Etudes et Recherches en Thermique, Environnement et Systèmes [Créteil]

Damp heat test was performed on commercial soda-lime glass to characterize functional properties of glass in photovoltaic applications and to define aging mechanisms. In addition to the measurements of optical properties, FTIR, SEM-EDX and XPS analyses were carried out. The damp heat exposed samples presented an increased transmittance in UV, visible and near-IR ranges. The results were explained by hydration of glass network with heat. Molecular water adsorption involves a leaching process of network modifier cations and especially sodium ions. Hydrolysis also occurs in silica network with free molecular water reaction. This phenomenon enhances concentration of hydroxyl groups in glass highlighted by FTIR measurements and promotes formation of silanol groups. The tin side dependence on sodium leaching which acts as a passivating barrier for ionic transport is emphasized which would be worth taking into consideration for photovoltaic module design.

Mots clés: soda-lime glass; damp heat; aging; leaching

Domaines: Matériaux

Vincent Guiheneuf, Fabien Delaleux, Olivier Riou, Pierre-Olivier Logerais, Jean-Félix Durastanti. Investigation of Damp Heat aging on soda-lime glass for photovoltaic applications. 32nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Jun 2016, Munich, Germany. ⟨10.4229/EUPVSEC20162016-5BO.11.6⟩. ⟨hal-01375930⟩