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Examination of a Junction-Box Adhesion Test for Use in Photovoltaic Module Qualification: Preprint

Description: Engineering robust adhesion of the junction-box (j-box) is a hurdle typically encountered by photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers during product development. There are historical incidences of adverse effects (e.g., fires) caused when the j-box/adhesive/module system has failed in the field. The addition of a weight to the j-box during the 'damp heat' IEC qualification test is proposed to verify the basic robustness of its adhesion system. The details of the proposed test will be described, i… more
Date: August 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C. & Wohlgemuth, J. H.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Examination of a Junction-Box Adhesion Test for Use in Photovoltaic Module Qualification

Description: Engineering robust adhesion of the junction-box (j-box) is a hurdle typically encountered by photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers during product development. There are historical incidences of adverse effects (e.g., fires) caused when the j-box/adhesive/module system has failed in the field. The addition of a weight to the j-box during the 'damp heat' IEC qualification test is proposed to verify the basic robustness of its adhesion system. The details of the proposed test will be described, i… more
Date: August 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C. & Wohlgemuth, J. H.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Proposed Junction-Box Stress Test (Using an Added Weight) for Use During the Module Qualification

Description: Engineering robust adhesion of the junction-box (j-box) is a hurdle typically encountered by photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers during product development. Furthermore, there are historical incidences of adverse effects (e.g., fires) caused when the j-box/adhesive/module system has failed in the field. The addition of a weight to the j-box during the 'damp heat' IEC qualification test is proposed to verify the basic robustness of the j-box adhesion system. The details of the proposed test a… more
Date: February 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Wohlgemuth, J. H. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Creep in Photovoltaic Modules: Examining the Stability of Polymeric Materials and Components

Description: Interest in renewable energy has motivated the implementation of new polymeric materials in photovoltaic modules. Some of these are non-cross-linked thermoplastics, in which there is a potential for new behaviors to occur, including phase transformation and visco-elastic flow. Differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry data were obtained and then combined with existing site-specific time-temperature information in a theoretical analysis to estimate the displacement expected to occur during… more
Date: February 1, 2011
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Kempe, M. D.; Glick, S. H. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Analysis of Transmitted Optical Spectrum Enabling Accelerated Testing of CPV Designs: Preprint

Description: Reliability of CPV systems' materials is not well known; methods for accelerated UV testing have not been developed. UV and IR spectra transmitted through representative optical systems are evaluated.
Date: July 1, 2009
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Kempe, M. D.; Kennedy, C. E. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Novel Scanning Lens Instrument for Evaluating Fresnel Lens Performance: Equipment Development and Initial Results

Description: A system dedicated to the optical transmittance characterization of Fresnel lenses has been developed at NREL, in collaboration with the UPM. The system quantifies the optical efficiency of the lens by generating a performance map. The shape of the focused spot may also be analyzed to understand change in the lens performance. The primary instrument components (lasers and CCD detector) have been characterized to confirm their capability for performing optical transmittance measurements. Measure… more
Date: July 1, 2013
Creator: Herrero, R.; Miller, D. C.; Kurtz, S. R.; Anton, I. & Sala, G.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Durability of Polymeric Encapsulation Materials for Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems [Poster]

Description: Polymeric encapsulation materials are typically used in concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules to protect the cell from the field environment. Because it is physically located adjacent to the cell, the encapsulation is exposed to a high optical flux, often including light in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) wavelengths. The durability of encapsulants used in CPV modules is critical to the technology, but is presently not well understood. This work seeks to identify the appropriate mater… more
Date: February 1, 2011
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Kempe, M. D.; Araki, K.; Kennedy, C. E. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Poster
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Durability of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Lenses Used in Concentrating Photovoltaic Modules: Preprint

Description: Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology has recently gained interest based on their expected low levelized cost of electricity, high efficiency, and scalability. Many CPV systems use Fresnel lenses made of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) to obtain a high optical flux density. The optical and mechanical durability of such components, however, are not well established relative to the desired service life of 30 years. Specific reliability issues may include: reduced optical transmittance, disc… more
Date: August 1, 2010
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Gedvilas, L. M.; To, B.; Kennedy, C. E. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Post-Lamination Manufacturing Process Automation for Photovoltaic Modules: Final Subcontract Report, April 1998 - April 2002

Description: This report describes the automated systems developed for PV module assembly and testing processes after lamination. These processes are applicable to a broad range of module types, including those made with wafer-based and thin-film solar cells. Survey data and input from module manufacturers gathered during site visits were used to define system capabilities and process specifications. Spire completed mechanical, electrical, and software engineering for four automation systems: a module edge … more
Date: November 1, 2002
Creator: Nowlan, M. J.; Murach, J. M.; Sutherland, S. F.; Miller, D. C.; Moore, S. B. & Hogan, S. J.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Durability of Polymeric Encapsulation Materials for Concentrating Photovoltaic Systems

Description: Many concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems use a polymeric encapsulant to couple and optical component and/or coverglass to the cell. In that location, the encapsulation improves the transmission of concentrated optical flux through interface(s), while protecting the cell from the environment. The durability of encapsulation materials, however, is not well established relative to the desired service life of 30 years. Therefore, we have initiated a screen test to identify the field-induced fa… more
Date: March 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Muller, M.; Kempe, M. D.; Araki, K.; Kennedy, C. E. & Kurtz, S. R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Development of Automated Production Line Processes for Solar Brightfield Modules: Final Annual Technical Progress Report, 1 July 2004 -- 15 October 2005

Description: Spire Corporation is addressing the Photovoltaic Manufacturing R&D project goals of improving photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing processes and products while reducing costs and providing a technology foundation that supports significant manufacturing scale-up. To accomplish this, we are focusing our efforts on the design of a large-area utility-scale module and the development of the necessary manufacturing techniques and equipment to manufacture such a module in a high-volume production envir… more
Date: August 1, 2006
Creator: Nowlan, M. J.; Murach, J. M.; Sutherland, S. F.; Miller, D. C.; B., Moore S. & Hogan, S. J.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Development of Automated Production Line Processes for Solar Brightfield Modules: Annual Technical Progress Report, 1 January 2003 -- 30 June 2004

Description: This report describes how Spire Corporation is addressing the PV Manufacturing R&D project goals of improving photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing processes and products while reducing costs and providing a technology foundation that supports significant manufacturing scale-up. To accomplish this, we are focusing our efforts on the design of a large-area utility-scale module and the development of the necessary manufacturing techniques and equipment to manufacture such a module in a high-volume … more
Date: June 1, 2005
Creator: Nowlan, M. J.; Murach, J. M.; Sutherland, S. F.; Miller, D. C.; Moore, S. B. & Hogan, S. J.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Examination of a Size-Change Test for Photovoltaic Encapsulation Materials: Preprint

Description: We examine a proposed test standard that can be used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear dimensions of sheet encapsulation products for photovoltaic modules (resulting from their thermal processing). The proposed protocol is part of a series of material-level tests being developed within Working Group 2 of the Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. The characterization tests are being developed to aid module design (by identifying the essent… more
Date: August 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Wohlgemuth, J. H.; Gu, X.; Ji, L.; Kelly, G.; Gu, X. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Examination of a Size-Change Test for Photovoltaic Encapsulation Materials

Description: We examine a proposed test standard that can be used to evaluate the maximum representative change in linear dimensions of sheet encapsulation products for photovoltaic modules (resulting from their thermal processing). The proposed protocol is part of a series of material-level tests being developed within Working Group 2 of the Technical Committee 82 of the International Electrotechnical Commission. The characterization tests are being developed to aid module design (by identifying the essent… more
Date: August 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Ji, L.; Kelly, G.; Gu, X.; Nickel, N.; Norum, P. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Durability of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Lenses Used in Concentrating Photovoltaic Technology (Revised)

Description: Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology recently gained interest based on its expected low levelized cost of electricity, high efficiency, and scalability. Many CPV systems employ Fresnel lenses composed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to obtain a high optical flux density on the cell. The optical and mechanical durability of these lenses, however, is not well established relative to the desired surface life of 30 years. Our research aims to quantify the expected lifetime of PMMA in key… more
Date: January 1, 2012
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Carloni, J. D.; Pankow, J. W.; Gjersing, E. L.; To, B.; Packard, C. E. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Photovoltaic Module Qualification Plus Testing

Description: This report summarizes a set of test methods that are in the midst of being incorporated into IEC 61215 for certification of a module design or other tests that go beyond certification to establish bankability.
Date: December 1, 2013
Creator: Kurtz, S.; Wohlgemuth, J.; Kempe, M.; Bosco, N.; Hacke, P.; Jordan, D. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Examination of an Optical Transmittance Test for Photovoltaic Encapsulation Materials: Preprint

Description: The optical transmittance of encapsulation materials is a key characteristic for their use in photovoltaic (PV) modules. Changes in transmittance with time in the field affect module performance, which may impact product warranties. Transmittance is important in product development, module manufacturing, and field power production (both immediate and long-term). Therefore, an international standard (IEC 62788-1-4) has recently been proposed by the Encapsulation Task-Group within the Working Gro… more
Date: September 1, 2013
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Bengoechea, J.; Bokria, J. G.; Kohl, M.; Powell, N. E.; Smith, M. E. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department

Testing Protocol for Module Encapsulant Creep

Description: Recently there has been an interest in the use of thermoplastic encapsulant materials in photovoltaic modules to replace chemically crosslinked materials, e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate. The related motivations include the desire to: reduce lamination time or temperature; use less moisture-permeable materials; or use materials with better corrosion characteristics. However, the use of any thermoplastic material in a high-temperature environment raises safety and performance concerns, as the stand… more
Date: February 1, 2012
Creator: Kempe, M. D.; Miller, D. C.; Wohlgemuth, J. H.; Kurtz, S. R.; Moseley, J. M.; Shah, Q. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Presentation
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Examination of a Standardized Test for Evaluating the Degree of Cure of EVA Encapsulation: Preprint

Description: The curing of cross-linkable encapsulation is a critical consideration for photovoltaic (PV) modules manufactured using a lamination process. Concerns related to ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA) include the quality (e.g., expiration and uniformity) of the films or completion (duration) of the cross-linking of the EVA within a laminator. Because these issues are important to both EVA and module manufacturers, an international standard has recently been proposed by the Encapsulation Task-Group wit… more
Date: November 1, 2013
Creator: Miller, D. C.; Gu, X.; Haldenman, S.; Hidalgo, M.; Malguth, E.; Reid, C. G. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Field Evaluation of the Potential for Creep in Thermoplastic Encapsulant Materials: Preprint

Description: There has been recent interest in the use of thermoplastic encapsulant materials in photovoltaic modules to replace chemically crosslinked materials, e.g., ethylene-vinyl acetate. The related motivations include the desire to: reduce lamination time or temperature; use less moisture-permeable materials; use materials with better corrosion characteristics or with improved electrical resistance. However, the use of any thermoplastic material in a high-temperature environment raises safety and per… more
Date: June 1, 2012
Creator: Kempe, M. D.; Miller, D. C.; Wohlgemuth, J.; Kurtz, S. R.; Moseley, J. M.; Shah, Q. et al.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Article
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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