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

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.