Current Photovoltaic Research ISSN:2288-3274(Print) 2508-125X(Online)

This study investigates the degradation characteristics of different material types of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyolefin (POE) with combining transparent backsheet. To this end, we fabricated samples with structure of glass/encapsulant/transparent backsheet for each type of encapsulants, and shingled Si modules with the same structure. The samples were then subjected to accelerated test by storing under damp heat condition of 85°C and 85% RH. As a result, encaplsulant discoloration was observed, which the transmittance of the samples with EVA decreased in a rapid rate than the samples with POE. The discoloration also affected a power degradation of the shingled modules with a reduction of current density, resulting that the module with EVA showed more drop on the efficiency than the modules with POE. Furthermore, corrosion of the soldered ribbon caused by acetic acid produced from the degraded EVA also contributed in fill factor reduction.