Photovoltaic Module Barrier Layer Against Moisture and Sodium Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic modules, particularly those with silicon heterojunction cells, are susceptible to degradation due to humidity-induced migration of salts, ions, or soluble substances from the glass, leading to potential induced degradation and reduced durability, especially in humid environments.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a barrier layer comprising at least 95% by mass of SiOxNy between the transparent protective glass layer and the encapsulant, which blocks the diffusion of moisture and migration of contaminants like sodium ions, enhancing the module's durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier layer comprising at least 95% by mass of SiOxNy is disposed between the transparent protective glass layer and the encapsulant, then the photovoltaic cells are protected from contamination by sodium and other ions migrating from the glass, but the device complexity increases due to the additional layer
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier layer comprising at least 95% by mass of SiOxNy (where x+y=2 and x≥y) is disposed between the transparent protective glass layer and the encapsulant. This intermediary layer blocks the diffusion of moisture and migration of salts, ions, or soluble substances (particularly sodium ions) from the glass to the photovoltaic cells, thereby protecting the cells from contamination while maintaining a controlled structural addition.
2Reliability
If SiOx deposits are applied to both faces of SHJ photovoltaic cells to prevent sodium contamination, then complete cell protection is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying protective deposits directly to the photovoltaic cells, the invention extracts the protection function and places it in a dedicated barrier layer disposed between the glass and the encapsulant. This separates the protection function from the cell structure itself, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining complete protection against sodium contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier layer is disposed between the glass and encapsulant before the photovoltaic cells are fully assembled into the final module structure. This preliminary placement of the protective barrier prevents contamination from occurring in the first place, rather than requiring post-assembly treatments or complex multi-step deposition processes on the cells themselves.
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 barrier layer effectively prevents contamination and degradation of photovoltaic cells, improving the module's resistance to humid conditions and potential induced degradation, maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier layer blocks the diffusion of moisture and the migration of salts, ions, or soluble substances
Implementation Method 2
the barrier layer blocks the diffusion of moisture and the migration of salts, ions, or soluble substances, especially sodium ions, from the glass to the photovoltaic cells
Data Source
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AI summary
Photovoltaic module (M), comprising a front face (41) and a rear face (42), the photovoltaic module comprising a multilayer stack including at least: - a first transparent protective layer of glass, - an encapsulant (2) of polymer material, for example of the transparent elastomer type, in which is encapsulated or coated at least one photovoltaic cell (20), or even photovoltaic cells (20), - a second protective layer (1), and - at least one barrier layer (30), disposed between the transparent protective layer of glass and the encapsulant (2), the barrier layer (30) comprising at least 95% by mass of SiOxNy, with x + y = 2.