Dr. Andrew Fairbrother Profile

Dr. Andrew Fairbrother

Materials Research Engineer at National Institute of Standards and Technology

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Publications (4)

Proceedings Article | 18 September 2018 Presentation

Degradation analysis of polyamide-based backsheets in field photovoltaic modules under different climatic conditions (Conference Presentation)

Yadong Lyu, Andrew Fairbrother, Jae Hyun Kim, Xiaohong Gu, Michael Kempe, Liang Ji, Kent Whitfield, Kenneth Boyce, Adam Hauser, Greg O’Brien, Scott Julien, Kai-Tak Wan, Yu Wang, Laura Bruckman, Roger French

Proceedings Volume 10759, 107590F (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2325843

KEYWORDS: Climatology, Climate change, Solar cells, Oceanography, Spectroscopy

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Proceedings Article | 18 September 2018 Presentation

Development of methodology for service life prediction of PV backsheets (Conference Presentation)

Xiaohong Gu, Chen-An Wang, Yadong Lyu, Jae Hyun Kim, Andrew Fairbrother, Lakesha Perry, Deborah Jacob, Tinh Nguyen, Stephanie Watson

Proceedings Volume 10759, 107590D (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2323423

KEYWORDS: Personal protective equipment, Photovoltaics, Optical spheres, Ultraviolet radiation, Humidity, UV optics, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Statistical analysis, Data modeling

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Proceedings Article | 23 August 2017 Paper

Degradation analysis of field-exposed photovoltaic modules with non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets

Andrew Fairbrother, Scott Julien, Kai-Tak Wan, Liang Ji, Kenneth Boyce, Sebastien Merzlic, Amy Lefebvre, Greg O'Brien, Yu Wang, Laura Bruckman, Roger French, Michael Kempe, Xiaohong Gu

Proceedings Volume 10370, 1037003 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2272488

KEYWORDS: Photovoltaics, Solar cells, Polymers, Reliability, Optical inspection, Colorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy

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The selection of polymeric materials utilized in photovoltaic (PV) modules has changed relatively little since the inception of the PV industry, with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and fluoropolymer-based laminates being the most widely adopted primary components of the encapsulant and backsheet materials. The backsheet must serve to electrically insulate the solar cells and protect them from the effects of weathering. Due to continued downward pressure on cost, other polymeric materials are being formulated to withstand outdoor exposure for use in backsheets to replace either the PET film, the fluoropoymer film, or both. Because of their relatively recent deployment, less is known about their reliability and if they are durable enough to fulfill the ≥25 year warranties of current PV modules. This work presents a degradation analysis of field-exposed modules with polyamide- and polyester-based backsheets. Modules were exposed for up to five years in different geographic locations: USA (Maryland, Ohio), China, and Italy. Surface and cross-sectional analysis included visual inspection, colorimetry, glossimetry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Each module experienced different types of degradation depending on the exposure site, even for the same material and module brand. For instance, the polyamide-based backsheet experienced hairline cracking and greater yellowing and chemical changes in China (Changsu, humid subtropical climate), while in Italy (Rome, hot-summer Mediterranean climate) it underwent macroscopic cracking and greater losses in gloss. Spectroscopic studies have permitted identification of degradation products and changes in polymer structure over time. Comparisons are made to fielded modules with fluoropolymer-based backsheets, as well as backsheet materials in accelerated laboratory exposures. Implications for qualification testing and service life prediction of the non-fluoropolymer-based backsheets are discussed.

Proceedings Article | 23 August 2017 Paper

Model development of degradation of PV modules backsheet with locating place of module

Yu Wang, Andrew Fairbrother, Sebastien Merzlic, Scott Julien, Lucas Fridman, Camille Loyer, Amy Lefebvre, Gregory O'Brien, Xiaohong Gu, Liang Ji, Kenneth Boyce, Michael Kempe, Kai-tak Wan, Roger French, Laura Bruckman

Proceedings Volume 10370, 103700L (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2274209

KEYWORDS: Solar cells, Climatology, FT-IR spectroscopy, Photovoltaics, Humidity, Positron emission tomography, Spectroscopy

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