Effect of Damp Heat on the Performance Degradation of Flexible CIGS Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

The performance degradation of flexible CIGS photovoltaic modules was studied under damp heat stress condition. For the fabrication of modules, two different types of modules were fabricated using different number of lamination sheet; one on top of back sheet; the other underneath of front sheet. The effects of heat and moisture stresses on the flexible CIGS photovoltaic modules were systematically investigated in non-destructive fashion using electroluminescence and insulation resistance. It was found that the moisture attack on the cell was the major factor lowering the Pmax with exposure time during the damp heat tests, which was confirmed by the decrease in the resistance with the insulation resistance tests as well as the increase in the damaged area of cells with the electroluminescence tests.