Characterization of Customized Encapsulant Polyvinyl Butyral Used in the Solar Industry and Its Impact on the Environment

Abstract

Taking climate and geopolitical issues into account, we must shift our thinking towards “eco” and focus on renewable energy. The accessible solar energy represents 400 times the amount of consumption, while its potential represents 10,000 times the amount of demand. The paper aims to analyze recycled, customized polyvinyl butyral (PVB) with high purity (more than 98%) concerning its physicochemical and mechanical properties and its possible applicability in the photovoltaic industry as an encapsulating material. The detailed investigation on polyvinyl butyral starting from characterizations, homogenization, and moulding process to tensile tests and used exposure testing in laboratory apparatus are performed. Samples of recycled polyvinyl butyral were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the value 0.76 W.m–2.nm–1 at 340 nm, water spray, drying at 50 °C and condensation for 320 h when the radiation was turned off. The results obtained were more controlled in a laboratory environment than those found in external, uncontrolled environments. These conditions subsequently accelerate any degradation of polyvinyl butyral as a material and subsequent degradation of the final product.