Ultrahigh Moisture Barrier Coatings for Photovoltaic Systems

In order for solar power to reach its full potential as a renewable energy resource improvements are needed in the photovoltaic module packaging. In particular, barrier coatings are needed to protect the solar cells from water and water vapor. These coatings must be water-vapor impermeable, optically transparent, stable at high temperatures, unaffected by UV radiation, chemically resistant, and easy to apply (low cost). Furthermore, the coating¿s adhesion to commonly-used polymeric encapsulants and backsheets, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyvinylflouride (PVF), must be excellent. This project will formulate, design, and fabricate a photovoltaic device barrier coating (PDBC) for use in solar energy applications, which can be applied without the use of physical/chemical vapor deposition (PVD/CVD) processes. The coating will be applicable for both flat plate and thin film photovoltaic systems. In Phase I, a system will be designed that exhibits exceptional barrier properties while maintaining flexibility and ease of application, samples of the coating will be chemically formulated and evaluated, and the process will be scaled up for further investigation in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The PDBC should provide a barrier coating system that will meet or exceed the performance of presently used coatings. In addition to its use, the coatings should have a broad scope of applications where outdoor weather protection and is required: aircraft, ships, electronics, aerospace, automotive, construction. Other markets include food/beverage packaging and barrier technologies for organic light emitting devices.