Why Are Anti-Aging Methods for Solar Cells So Crucial?

Solar energy generation poses no environmental or climate risks, but its cost remains relatively high. Extending the lifespan of solar components to 25 years or beyond is essential. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in the U.S. are working to develop materials that protect solar cells from environmental influences, thereby prolonging their lifespan.

Cost and Market Competition Challenges

The high price of solar power has been a major obstacle to its competitiveness in the market. Currently, solar energy relies heavily on government subsidies. Christian Hoepfner, Scientific Director at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, emphasized that renewable energy must become cheaper to penetrate the global market.

However, there is no quick fix. The production of efficient solar cells and components involves high costs, and technological advances are not easily achieved. Researchers worldwide are striving to discover new techniques and manufacturing methods to reduce costs while improving efficiency, durability, and reliability.

Silicone's Potential

Silicone has emerged as a promising material. It is neither a typical inorganic crystal nor an organic polymer but shares properties with both. While most solar manufacturers use EVA for encapsulation, silicone's potential applications are gaining attention. To evaluate whether silicone could replace EVA, Fraunhofer collaborated with Dow Corning researchers to coat solar cells with liquid silicone.

The studies revealed that hardened silicone effectively encases solar cells, offering optimized protection. In simulated climatic tests, silicone-laminated solar components demonstrated superior resistance to low temperatures and repeated mechanical loads, withstanding even extreme conditions of -40°C.

Collaboration and Results

Andy Goodwin, Global Science and Technology Manager at Dow Corning, highlighted that this collaboration significantly advanced understanding of material requirements for solar components, particularly in sustainability and energy output. The findings were presented at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference.

Project Manager Rafal Mickiewicz concluded that silicone layers are highly suitable for specific applications, as they protect delicate internal components and withstand significant temperature fluctuations. This technology could make components made from Si thin-film solar cells more robust and reliable.