Presentation Details
| IN-SITU MOISTURE CHARACTERIZATION TO DE-RISK PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATION Sergiu Pop1, Mihail Bora2. 1SCP SYS LLC, San Francisco, CA, USA.2Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA |
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive investigation of water diffusivity in photovoltaic (PV) modules as a key contributor to material degradation and long-term performance risk, with direct relevance to reliability assessment and project bankability. Moisture ingress is a primary driver of multiple degradation mechanisms that can compromise module integrity, accelerate power loss, and increase warranty and financial exposure over operational lifetimes. Advanced, complementary characterization techniques—Hydroscanner imaging and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)—are employed to quantify water uptake and to detect moisture-induced chemical and interfacial changes in commonly used encapsulation materials under controlled environmental stress conditions. The Hydroscanner enables real-time, spatially resolved visualization of water accumulation, while FTIR identifies molecular-level interactions and early-stage chemical modifications associated with water exposure. The study systematically evaluates the influence of temperature, humidity, and encapsulant material properties on moisture diffusion kinetics and links these transport behaviors to field-relevant degradation pathways, including delamination, corrosion of metallization and interconnects, interfacial adhesion loss, and efficiency degradation. By correlating environmental drivers with material response, the work provides improved insight into degradation initiation and propagation that is not fully captured by standard qualification tests. The results support more accurate lifetime prediction, material screening, and reliability modeling, enabling earlier identification of high-risk material combinations and operating conditions. From a project development and financing perspective, this contributes to reduced technical uncertainty, improved durability assurance, and enhanced confidence in long-term energy yield. Overall, the study provides actionable data to support module design optimization, quality control strategies, and risk-informed decision-making, thereby strengthening the technical basis for de-risking PV assets and improving the bankability of photovoltaic projects across diverse climatic environments.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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