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Effect of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of PMMA material used in concentrating photovoltaics, The

Carloni, Joseph D.
; 
Wilkinson, Taylor M.
; 
Miller, David C.
; 
Packard, Corinne E.
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2011-08
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REMRSEC
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2011 NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates posters and presentations
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The effect of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of PMMA material used in concentrating photovoltaics
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https://hdl.handle.net/11124/398
 http://dx.doi.org/10.25676/11124/398
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Abstract
Concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) modules use focused light. A frensed lens requires less material and is lighter than a bulky and expensive traditional domed lens. A promising lens material is poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA. This polymer is a lightweight and mechanically robust optical grade material, benefitting the CPV application. It is relatively unknown how its performance will be affected by environmental weathering conditions. An ATLAS Ci-4000 Weather-Ometer simulates environmental wreathing at >8x acceleration. The samples tested here are two different, commercially available, solar grade formulations of PMMA, aged at NREL and provided to CSM for testing.
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