%0 Journal Article %T Combustion behaviors of CIGS thin-film solar modules from cone calorimeter tests %J Materials (Basel, Switzerland) %D 2018 %A Yin, Lulu %A Jiang, Yong %A Qiu, Rong %V 11 %N 8 %P e11081353-e11081353 %X As is well known, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is becoming more commonly used in residential and commercial buildings. Fire assessment of photovoltaic (PV) modules as a whole is still insufficient. This work focuses on the thermal properties and combustion behavior of CIGS (copper, indium, gallium and selenium) thin-film modules. Cone calorimeter experiments were conducted at different external heat flux of 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 kW m-2. Several parameters are discussed, including surface temperature, ignition time, heat release rate (HRR), mass loss rate, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations. The results show that CIGS thin-film solar modules are inflammable at intermediate or high flashover risk. A correction calculation for the gas toxicity index has been used to reduce the well-ventilation condition effect. Compared with the uncorrected calculation, peak fractional effective dose (FED) and lethal concentration for 50% of the population (LC50) are almost double. This work will help to determine a more stringent fire safety provision for PV modules.

Language: en

%G en %I MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute %@ 1996-1944 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma11081353