Fast and Non-Destructive Determination of the EVA Cross-Linking Degree for In-Line and Off-Line Application

TL;DRAbstract

The level of cross-linking of the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulant is a critical benchmark for the long-term stability and performance of a solar module. However to date, process control and quality assurance relay on destructive, lab-based tests for monitoring lamination quality. In this paper we present a method that facilitates fast, automated and non-destructive determination of the level of EVA cross-linking. The method exploits the relation between the level of cross-linking and the mechanical properties of EVA. Superior metrology properties of the new technique are revealed by a comparison with the conventional gelcontent test. The application within an industrial solar module production line is demonstrated. Moreover, the method is applied to laterally mapping the degree of EVA cross-linking across commercially acquired solar modules. The results reveal serious inhomogeneities that presumably result from the temperature distribution within the laminator as well as warpa

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