Accelerate Cycles of Learning: Unencapsulated Silicon Photovoltaic Cells to Environmental Stressors

We present materials and device performance data from distinct commercial technologies. Passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) and silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells are subjected to accelerated aging methods: damp heat and acetic acid exposures of unencapsulated devices. The unencapsulated devices are exposed to these accelerated aging conditions to provide information on materials and device changes, separate from the encapsulants, and to rapidly screen for degradation susceptibility from heat, moisture, and low pH. Ultimately, this approach can help accelerate cycles of learning in PV reliability and durability for novel cell types.