The impact of moisture on photovoltaic glass

Does moisture ingress affect PV modules?

The effect of moisture ingress on PV modules has been reviewed. The major environmental and climatic factors such as temperature, humidity, and UV radiation influence moisture ingress into PV modules.

What are the effects of moisture in encapsulant in PV modules?

Moisture in EVA encapsulant can lead to metal grids corrosion, delamination and discolouration of encapsulants, potential induced degradation, optical and adhesion losses. The present work is a review of literature on the causes, effects, detection, and mitigation techniques of moisture ingress in PV modules.

What causes PV module power degradation?

Moisture ingress in photovoltaic (PV) modules is the core of most degradation mechanisms that lead to PV module power degradation. Moisture in EVA encapsulant can lead to metal grids corrosion, delamination and discolouration of encapsulants, potential induced degradation, optical and adhesion losses.

Can we control the incidence of moisture in PV modules?

Hence, more effort must be put in place to address the incidence of moisture into PV modules. Unfortunately, we cannot control environmental factors but for the material properties and technology we can, especially when the failure mechanisms are well understood.

How does water affect a PV module?

Once water comes into the PV module, the accumulated moisture within the module in the presence of other climatic stressors can lead to all forms of degradation modes in PV module’s components and other packaging materials (Ballif et al., 2014, Kudriavtsev et al., 2019, Wohlgemuth and Kempe, 2013).

Can EVA encapsulants reduce moisture in PV modules?

As such, EVA with lower VA contents can limit the ingression of moisture into PV modules. In another study, Czyzewicz and Smith (2011) developed ionomer-based encapsulants with superior electrical, mechanical and moisture barrier properties with a possibility of making modules without supplementary edge seals.