Tests on organic photovoltaics (OPV) mini modules, fabricated through a R2R process, in air and without hazardous solvents have been conducted in order to compare their outdoor performance, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and Bangor, North Wales, and assess the impact of the latitude and climate of the installation on the power generation and modules' lifetime. The test showed different profiles of degradation for each region and formulation, with a surprisingly faster degradation in Bangor. One of the possible sources of the increased degradation is the greater levels of condensation observed in Bangor. To verify the impact of condensation on the module stability, indoor tests have been conducted to relate the dew point depression to module degradation times. The results show that condensation is a significant stress factor in OPV and should be considered more prominently in reliability studies.

The increasing technical and economic viability of photovoltaic solar energy technologies includes modules with organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, which have shown significant efficiency increases, reaching 20% for research devices. This study investigated the photodegradation and associated loss mechanisms in OPV devices under tropical conditions in Brazil. The electrical and optical characteristics of the modules were correlated with chemical and structural changes when exposed to sunlight. Electrical parameters were monitored over time on external test benches and measured in solar simulators, while changes in the optical transmission and absorption of the films were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to study the physical and chemical properties of the materials. We found that photodegradation causes bound breakage in the active layer, altering the carbon structure and consequently reducing the module’s output power. The primary reasons for the activation and progression of this mechanism are high temperature and elevated solar irradiance. Therefore, we demonstrate that understanding these mechanisms is essential for the development of more sustainable OPVs in tropical climates.

Perovskite minimodules were manufactured by blade coating and evaporation processes to assemble a perovskite photovoltaic panel. The minimodules were grouped into 3 groups of 6 units and connected in parallel to form strings, which were laminated individually. The strings were then connected in series, forming a panel, which received a second lamination process. Modules, strings and the panel were electrically characterized by IV curves, demonstrating the viability of the process. The final panel constructed presented an efficiency of 8,6%, with a reduction of 17% in relation to the average performance of the minimodules used in the assembly. These losses are a result, of the lamination and sample handling processes. The electroluminescence analysis showed differences between the minimodules used and between cells of the same minimodules, despite similar initial electrical performance. In the temperature and humidity stability test (65 °C, 85% relative humidity), the panel showed promising results, maintaining 80% of performance after more than 3000 h of exposure. Minimódulos de perovskita foram fabricados com camadas processadas pelos métodos de deposição por lâmina (blade coating) e evaporação térmica para a construção de um painel fotovoltaico de perovskita. Os minimódulos foram agrupados em 3 grupos de 6 unidades e conectados em paralelo formando strings, que fo ram laminadas individualmente. As strings foram conectadas em série, formando um painel, que recebeu um segundo processo de laminação. Os módulos, as strings e o painel foram caracterizados eletricamente por curvas de tensão-corrente (IV), demonstrando a viabilidade do processo. O painel final apresentou eficiência de 8,6%, com redução de 17% em relação ao desempenho médio dos minimódulos utilizados na montagem, sendo as perdas resultantes dos processos de laminação e manipulação das amostras. A análise de eletroluminescência mostrou diferenças entre os minimódulos usados e entre células de um mesmo minimódulo, apesar do desempenho elétrico inicial semelhante. No teste de estabilidade à temperatura e umidade (65 °C, 85% umidade relativa), o painel apresentou resultados promissores, mantendo 80% do desempenho após mais de 3000 h de exposição.