Comparison of degradation mechanisms in organic photovoltaicdevices upon exposure to a temperate and a subequatorial climate

Abstract

We compared the degradation process in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells, upon exposure to a temperate (Belgium) and a sub-equatorial (Benin) climate. Differences in degradation of these deviceshave been attributed to humidity differences between the temperate and Beninese environments.Our analyses revealed, the decrease rate on 240 h of JSCis about 40% in Belgium and 45% in Benin, whenthe devices are exposed to light and to ambient air. The diffusion of H2O and O2 species through the layersis more rapid when the temperature is high.