浮式光伏应用中边缘密封胶防潮保护的重量分析

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) modules may face a risk of increased moisture ingress due to their deployment on water surfaces. One way to mitigate this is by using impermeable front- and backsheets, with an edge sealant around the module perimeter. While a suitable sealant should have low bulk permeability, proper sealant application to avoid higher ingress channels at interfaces is crucial. Here, we report on the use of a gravimetric method as a simple way of evaluating moisture ingress through an edge sealant and of identifying application-related issues that lead to increased moisture ingress. The method uses multiple samples that closely mimic the sealant's intended application as part of an FPV design developed by the company Sunlit Sea. Supported by steady-state water vapor transmission rate measurements and finite-element modeling, the method is shown to be capable of determining the order of magnitude of the permeability of two different candidate sealant materials. Moreover, the method detected several application-related sealant failures that were not discernible through visual inspection. Finally, it uncovered potential issues of debonding of one of the sealants in immersion, highlighting a relevant yet understudied stressor for FPV modules.