Reliability of Deployed Organic Photovoltaic Modules

The commercial future of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) relies on their efficiency and reliability. Recent progress in the field has ensured the achievement of device efficiency comparable to those of commercial silicon-based photovoltaics (Si-PVs) [1]. In pursuit of reliable devices, recent works have demonstrated the intrinsic stability of both small-molecule, vacuum deposited [2] and non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) – polymer-based devices [3] under controlled laboratory conditions. The final step for outdoor deployment is therefore a demonstration of the reliability of large area OPV modules in the field, subjected to fluctuating environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, rainfall, snow, and solar intensity. In this work, we develop a customized test facility intended for the study of the reliability of large area OPV modules deployed in outdoor environments. The facility is designed for automated in-situ measurements calibrated to 1 sun solar intensity, AM 1.5 G illumination. Initial data show the modules retain more than 95% of their initial performance for 150 h when exposed to varying solar intensities, temperature fluctuations of -2°C to 10°C, and relative humidity as high as 90%. The only significant extrinsic challenge to device stability observed was the ingress of water into the package. This is mitigated by improved packaging which utilizes polyisobutylene (PIB) encapsulation and a customized insulated glass unit (IGU).