Material Characterization

To analyze the fundamental physical and chemical properties of PV materials, the lab utilizes:

• Chemical & Optical Analysis: Handheld Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR) for chemical bond analysis, and handheld spectral radiometers for tracking optical properties.
• Thermal Analysis: Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) for evaluating the thermal stability, melting points, and degradation of polymers.
• Permeability: MOCON testing equipment specifically utilized for measuring water vapor transmission rates and resisting moisture ingress.
• Environmental Safety & Toxicity: The lab conducts extensive Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing to evaluate the environmental risks of heavy metals (like Lead and Cadmium) leaching from different aging module technologies.
• Encapsulant Performance: Frequent comparative analyses between dominant encapsulants—such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) versus Polyolefin Elastomer (POE)—evaluate how glass substrates restrict oxygen transportation and inhibit the "bleaching" of degrading polymers.
• Backsheet Performance: Evaluation of different backsheet architectures, including Glass/Polymer Backsheet (GB) and Glass/Transparent Backsheet (GT). These analyses assess how varying backsheet materials resist moisture ingress and maintain integrity during prolonged environmental exposure.

While electrical testing reveals that a photovoltaic module is losing power, material characterization reveals the molecular why. Solar modules are complex packages of glass, silicon, metals, and specialized polymers. Over decades of extreme UV exposure, temperature cycling, and moisture, these foundational materials physically and chemically break down. By understanding these fundamental shifts—such as how a polymer loses its thermal stability, how an encapsulant yellows, or how a backsheet becomes permeable to water—researchers can predict long-term reliability, prevent catastrophic field failures, and ensure aging panels do not pose environmental toxicity risks.

To analyze the fundamental physical, chemical, and optical properties of PV materials, ASU PRL utilizes a comprehensive suite of analytical equipment and methodologies. Our facility is equipped to conduct rigorous component-level testing on encapsulants, backsheets, and module interfaces.

Specialized Material Studies:

• Encapsulant Performance: Frequent comparative analyses between dominant encapsulants—such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) versus Polyolefin Elastomer (POE)—evaluating how glass substrates restrict oxygen transportation and inhibit or accelerate the degradation of polymers.
• Backsheet Performance: Evaluation of different backsheet architectures, including Glass/Polymer Backsheet (GB) and Glass/Transparent Backsheet (GT). These analyses assess how varying backsheet materials resist moisture ingress, prevent cracking, and maintain dielectric integrity during prolonged environmental exposure.
• Environmental Safety & Toxicity: The lab conducts extensive Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing to evaluate the environmental risks of heavy metals (like Lead and Cadmium) leaching from different aging module technologies at their end-of-life.