A comparative study of different polymer materials for the development of flexible crystalline silicon modules

Flexible Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (Fc-SiPV) modules have attracted enormous attention from academics and the industry as a convenient, lightweight alternative energy source for indoor and outdoor applications with limited load-bearing capacity, curved roofs and higher energy demand buildings. This research article focuses on the development of lightweight, high-efficiency, glass-free crystalline silicon flexible photovoltaic modules composed of a composite sandwich structure with a polymer front layer. The optical, mechanical, and thermal properties of different commercially available polymer materials such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Tedlar Polyethylene Terephthalate (TPT), Ethylene Chloro Tri Fluoro Ethylene (ECTFE), Poly Vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP), and Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE) are analyzed for their suitability as front sheet material for flexible crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules manufacturing. The flexible crystalline silicon mini-modules are developed and fabricated utilizing the different materials mentioned above through conventional industrial lamination technology. These flexible polymer modules are analyzed in terms of their optical, spectral response, current-voltage characteristics and impact of thermal cycling for their suitability for photovoltaic applications. The findings of the article may be helpful for module manufacturers in selecting suitable polymer materials for the development of flexible crystalline modules.