Inkapsling av solceller för att maximera effektintaget i en solbil
Typ
Examensarbete på kandidatnivå
Program
Publicerad
2021
Författare
Andersson, Simon
Hörnell, Martin
Jensen, Axel
Prebensen, Axel
Saber, Pouria
Simonsen, Alexandra
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
The purpose of this study is to investigate suitable materials for encapsulating
solar cells that will power an electric car. The encapsulation shall provide a protective
layer against mechanical stresses and weatherability whilst reducing the
efficiency as little as possible. Important characteristics that have been identified
for the encapsulation material is high transmission, specific stiffness and strength
including high operating temperatures, melting temperature and heat capacity. In
the initial part of the study, a material database was used to sift materials that
had potential. Followed by eliminating materials that had low transmission capabilities.
Samples of the last remaining materials were then collected for tests to be
carried out. Two types of experiments were carried out; 1) FTIR measurements to determine the transmission of the materials and 2) measurements on the solar
cells inside a weatherometer to determine the materials weather resistance and
the impact on the efficiency of solar cells. The weatherometer was set to simulate
high temperature and UV-radiation. As for the mechanical properties, data from
the materials datasheets was used to evaluate their performance. Measurements
inside the weatherometer showed that the efficiency of the solar cells decreased
when encapsulated with the respective material as follows: 2.9 % for polyethylene
defthalate (PEN), 6.7 % for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), 4.6 % for polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) and 3.8 % for fluorinated ethylenepropene (FEP).
Some of the materials were deformed during the exposure inside the weatherometer.
The material that had the least reduction in efficiency was PEN. The material
had good mechanical and thermal properties and remained adhered to the solar
cell with the chosen method of application. Thus, PEN was the material with the
best overall performance and is therefore recommended as an encapsulant with the
selected method of application.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Solar cells, Encapsulation, Efficiency, Polymers