EVA/E/X-Y Copolymer Encapsulant for PID Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic modules are susceptible to potential-induced degradation (PID) due to ion and water migration, which affects their efficiency and lifetime, and existing encapsulants do not adequately prevent this issue.
Innovation Solution
An encapsulant composition comprising a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate combined with an enhancing ANTI-PID copolymer, specifically an E/X or E/X/Y copolymer where E is ethylene, X is a half-ester of maleic anhydride, and Y is an alkyl acrylate, which reduces ion permeability and mitigates PID.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional EVA-based encapsulants are used, then the encapsulant provides basic protection and adhesion, but the module suffers from potential-induced degradation due to ion and water migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite encapsulant material consisting of EVA copolymer blended with E/X/Y copolymer (where E is ethylene, X is half-ester of maleic anhydride, and Y is alkyl acrylate). This composite structure combines the adhesive properties of EVA with the low ion permeability of the E/X/Y copolymer, creating a material that simultaneously provides protection and resists ion/water migration that causes PID
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the encapsulant's chemical composition by incorporating specific copolymers with controlled monomer ratios. The E/X/Y copolymer contains 5-50 mol% X (half-ester of maleic anhydride) and 5-50 mol% Y (alkyl acrylate), which changes the material's ion permeability parameter while maintaining adequate adhesion properties
2Reliability
If the encapsulant composition is modified to reduce ion permeability, then PID resistance improves, but adhesion to solar cells and glass may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different copolymer materials (EVA and E/X/Y) in a blended composition. The EVA component provides strong adhesion to solar cells and glass, while the E/X/Y copolymer component provides low ion permeability. By combining these materials, the encapsulant achieves both strong adhesion and high PID resistance simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulant composition is designed with different functional components distributed throughout the material matrix. The EVA regions provide adhesion functionality while the E/X/Y copolymer regions provide ion barrier functionality, allowing different parts of the encapsulant to perform different functions locally
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The encapsulant composition significantly reduces PID, maintaining high power retention and module stability under various voltage and humidity conditions, outperforming conventional EVA-based encapsulants by retaining over 95% of initial power output.
Implementation Method 1
an encapsulant composition comprising a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate and an enhancing ANTI-PID copolymer... which reduces ion permeability and mitigates PID
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an encapsulant composition and photovoltaic modules having Anti-PID ability.