Evaluating Climate-Specific Degradation of PV Modules by Spectral UV-Fluorescence Mapping

Spectral mapping of the UV-excited fluorescence (UVF) band maximum is introduced as a universal approachto evaluate the degradation status of PV modules exposed to different climatic conditions and aging periods. The UVF band maximum maps are independent of the excitation conditions, enabling direct comparisons of the degradation state of PV modules exposed to different environments. A distinct correlation between the UVF band position and oxidative degradation of EVA encapsulants,of PV modules revealed by near-infrared absorption spectroscopy allows spectral UVF mapping to be applied for very fast comparative field evaluation of the degradation of PV polymers in different climates.