Thermally Conductive Backsheets (TCB) for Reduced Operating Temperatures Award Number: DE-EE0007138 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6 Building Technologies Office Date: 7/12/2016 Location(s): AZ Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 20, 2016
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Thermally Conductive Backsheets (TCB) for Reduced Operating Temperatures
Award Number: DE-EE0007548
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Solar Energy Technologies Office
Date: 7/12/2016
Location(s): AZ
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Arizona State University (ASU) to fabricate, test, evaluate, and characterize lab-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) samples to determine the extent of operating temperature and performance gain with thermally conductive backsheets (TCBs).
Proposed activities would include fabrication, in-lab evaluations and characterizations and outdoor sunlight exposure testing of roughly 150 PV samples measuring either 20cm by 20cm or 40cm by 40cm. All proposed fabrication and in-lab evaluations and characterizations would be completed by ASU on campus in Mesa, AZ. Outdoor sunlight exposure testing would be undertaken by both ASU and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The exact locations at which EPRI would complete the outdoor sunlight exposure testing have not been specifically identified yet. However, all outdoor testing would be completed using pre-existing solar PV racks in previously disturbed, purpose-built solar testing facilities. No ground disturbance would be required and there would be no change in the use, mission or operation of existing facilities as a result of this effort. The facilities have all applicable permits in place, and would not need additional permits for the proposed activities.