
Proceedings Paper
Durability of poly(methyl methacrylate) lenses used in concentrating photovoltaic modulesFormat | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
---|---|---|
$17.00 | $21.00 |
Paper Abstract
Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) technology has recently gained interest based on their expected low levelized cost of
electricity, high efficiency, and scalability. Many CPV systems use Fresnel lenses made of poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA) to obtain a high optical flux density. The optical and mechanical durability of such components, however, are
not well established relative to the desired service life of 30 years. Specific reliability issues may include: reduced
optical transmittance, discoloration, hazing, surface erosion, embrittlement, crack growth, physical aging, shape setting
(warpage), and soiling. The initial results for contemporary lens- and material-specimens aged cumulatively to 6 months
are presented. The study here uses an environmental chamber equipped with a xenon-arc lamp to age specimens at least
8x the nominal field rate. A broad range in the affected characteristics (including optical transmittance, yellowness
index, mass loss, and contact angle) has been observed to date, depending on the formulation of PMMA used. The most
affected specimens are further examined in terms of their visual appearance, surface roughness (examined via atomic
force microscopy), and molecular structure (via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy).
Paper Details
Date Published: 19 August 2010
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7773, Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems III, 777303 (19 August 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.861096
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7773:
Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems III
Neelkanth G. Dhere; John H. Wohlgemuth; Kevin Lynn, Editor(s)
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7773, Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems III, 777303 (19 August 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.861096
Show Author Affiliations
David C. Miller, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Lynn M. Gedvilas, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Bobby To, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Lynn M. Gedvilas, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Bobby To, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Cheryl E. Kennedy, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Sarah R. Kurtz, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Sarah R. Kurtz, National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7773:
Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems III
Neelkanth G. Dhere; John H. Wohlgemuth; Kevin Lynn, Editor(s)
© SPIE. Terms of Use
