Work

Impact of melting range on delamination process and recycling potential of photovoltaic encapsulants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this study, we introduce a method to evaluate the disassembly potential of photovoltaic (PV) modules by quantifying the force required to separate their constituent layers. Specifically, we conducted delamination tests on single-cell photovoltaic modules, focusing on three polymeric encapsulants: on the one hand, the cross-linked encapuslant Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Polyolefin Elastomer (POE); on the other hand, the noncross-linked Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO). The objective was to demonstrate that delamination force significantly decreases at temperatures exceeding the polymer’s melting range, as determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Therefore, delamination was performed at various temperatures using a blade to separate the glass from the remaining layers. The results indicate that, beyond the melting range, the delamination force decreases markedly for all three encapsulants. Furthermore, TPO exhibited the lowest delamination strength, followed by EVA and POE, with the latter two requiring similar forces once their melting ranges were exceeded.

Source: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2025.113884

Authors: Asier Murillo, Alicia Buceta, Antonio Urbina, Jaione Bengoechea

Institutions: Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), National Renewable Energy Centre

Language: English

Topic: Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,340