ABSTRACT
In order to evaluate their long term stability in the field under various climates CIS based thin film solar cells and modules were subjected to accelerated environmental stress testing. The most critical pat within those test cycles involves extended high temperature and humidity exposure (damp heat conditions). Two different phenomena are generally observed, a power loss due to high temperature that is reversible under prolonged illumination and an irreversible degradation related to humidity exposure. Recent improvements in cell and module technology have reduced the extent of those degradations such that a 1000 h damp heat exposure was passed for the first time.
