Inflexible silicon solar cell encapsulation process on curved surfaces: Experimental investigation

Abstract

The process of encapsulating solar cells on curved surfaces is one of the most challenging subjects today and has been widely studied. In most studies, thin‐film and flexible cells have been chosen for curved surfaces. In this article, a new method is proposed to carry out the process of encapsulating a solar cell on the curved surfaces using inflexible silicon solar cell. In this method, transparent epoxy resin is injected into the solar cell area using an embedded mold. Once the resin is cured and the mold is removed, the obtained surface forms the desired curved shape. This method can be used for fixed curved surfaces that are not exposed to tension. The method was performed on a sectional sample of a wind turbine blade which resulted in a curved and transparent layer on the cells. Then the section was tested under the environmental condition and exposed to direct sunlight. The results showed a normal performance of the cell with high efficiency and a maximum error rate of 8% compared to the laboratory report of the manufacturer. Voltage and current of the cell were normal in this experiment. The I–V curve diagram showed the standard behavior of cells as well. The maximum power output from the section was 1.308 W. Results showed that this method is suitable for solid curved surfaces to be used as a photovoltaic module.