Nondestructive characterization of encapsulant discoloration effects in crystalline-silicon PV modules

Sinha, Archana; Sastry, O.S.; Gupta, Rajesh

doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2016.06.019

Cited by 90 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Delamination is another degradation mechanism related with module encapsulant (EVA). As commented above, the delamination of the EVA usually appears simultaneously with discoloration due to the formation of acetic acid that gets trapped within the different interfaces of the PV modules enhancing the probabilities of bubbles formation and delamination [124]. It occurs as a result of a weakening chemical adhesion between the EVA and the active part of the module or between the EVA and the glass.…”

Section: Discoloration and Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical degradation impact on the spectral performance of photovoltaic technology

Fernández-Solas

Micheli

Almonacid

et al. 2021

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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The exponential growth of global capacity along with a reduction in manufacturing costs in the last two decades has caused photovoltaic (PV) energy technology to reach a high maturity level. As a consequence, currently, researchers from all over the world are making great efforts to analyse how different types of degradation impact this technology. This study provides a detailed review of the impact of different optical degradation mechanisms, which mainly affect the transmittance of the top-sheet encapsulant, on the spectral response of the PV modules. The evaluation of the impact on the spectral performance of PV modules is evaluated by considering the variations of the short-circuit current since this is the most widely used parameter to study the spectral impact in outdoors. Some of the most common types of optical degradation affecting the performance of PV modules worldwide, such as discoloration, delamination, aging and soiling have been addressed. Due to the widely documented impact of soiling on the spectral response of modules, this mechanism has been specially highlighted in this study. On the other hand, most of the publications analysed in this review report optical degradation in PV modules with polymeric encapsulant materials. Furthermore, an innovative procedure to quantify the spectral impact of degradation on PV modules is presented. This has been used to analyse the impact of two particular cases of degradation due to soiling and discoloration on the spectral response of different PV technologies.

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Section: Discoloration and Delaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical degradation impact on the spectral performance of photovoltaic technology

Fernández-Solas

Micheli

Almonacid

et al. 2021

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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“…A visual test to detect the main defects was developed, discovering a clear deterioration in the modules, together with a decreasing of electrical properties in the defective cells and corrosion in the zones with metal contact of the cells. Discoloration is also studied by Sinha et al [73], who classified its causes and used several non-destructive tests to identify its effects on long term exposed modules. Van Dyk et al [74] analysed the effects of the delamination and the moisture ingress in a PV module in South Africa.…”

Section: Outdoor Exposure: Corrosion Delamination and Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[72] South Korea Electrical characterization, outdoor conditions. [73] India Different NDT, cause identification, different modules. [74] South Africa Outdoor conditions, moisture ingress.…”

Section: Snow and Ice Depositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of maintenance management for photovoltaic power systems

Gonzalo

Marugán

Márquez

2020

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

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The sustainability of the global energy production systems involves new renewable energies and the improvement of the existing ones. Photovoltaic industry is growing thanks to the development of new technologies that increase the performance of photovoltaic systems. These systems are commonly subject to harsh environmental conditions that decrease their energy production and efficiency. In addition, current photovoltaic technologies are more sophisticated, and the size of photovoltaics solar plants is growing. Under this framework, research on failures and degradation mechanisms, together with the improvement of maintenance management, becomes essential to increase the performance, efficiency, reliability, availability, safety, and profitability of these systems. To assess maintenance needs, this paper presents a double contribution: an exhaustive literature review and updated survey on maintenance of photovoltaic plants, and a novel analysis of the current state and a discussion of the future trends and challenges in this field. An analysis of the main faults and degradation mechanisms is done, including the causes, effects, and the main techniques to detect, prevent and mitigate them.

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“…EVA is the most commonly used material for PV encapsulation because of relative low cost, high light transmittance, and good thermal conductivity Collins, 2014, 2013;Yuwawech et al, 2015). However, the degradation of the EVA layer in PV modules under non-STC conditions has been reported as discoloration, debonding and delamination (Gagliardi et al, 2017;Matsunaga et al, 2011;Rajput et al, 2017;Sinha et al, 2016). Paggi and Sapora, (2015), proposed an accurate thermo-viscoelastic rheological model for EVA based on fractional calculus.…”

Section: = (8)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of operating temperature on degradation of solder joints in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules for improved reliability in hot climates

et al. 2018

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Accelerated degradation of solder joint interconnections in crystalline silicon photovoltaic (c-Si PV) modules drives the high failure rate of the system operating in elevated temperatures. The phenomenon challenges the thermo-mechanical reliability of the system for hot climatic operations. This study investigates the degradation of solder interconnections in c-Si PV modules for cell temperature rise from 25°C STC in steps of 1°C to 120°C. The degradation is measured using accumulated creep strain energy density (). Generated magnitudes are utilised to predict the fatigue life of the module for ambient temperatures ranging from European to hot climates. The ANSYS mechanical package coupled with the IEC 61215 standard accelerated thermal cycle (ATC) profile is employed in the simulation. The Garofalo creep model is used to model the degradation response of solder while other module component materials are simulated with appropriate material models. Solder degradation is found to increase with every 1°C cell temperature rise from the STC. Three distinct degradation rates in Pa/°C are observed. Region 1, 25 to 42°C, is characterised by degradation rate increasing quadratically from 1.53 to 10.03 Pa/°C. The degradation rate in region 2 ,43 to 63 °C, is critical with highest constant magnitude of 12.06 Pa/°C. Region 3, 64 to 120°C, demonstrates lowest degradation rate of logarithmic nature with magnitude 5.47 at the beginning of the region and 2.25 Pa/°C at the end of the region. The module fatigue life, L (in years) is found to decay according to the power function = 721.48 −1.343. The model predicts module life in London and hot climate to be 18.5 and 9 years, respectively. The findings inform on the degradation of c-Si PV module solder interconnections in different operating ambient temperatures and advise on its operational reliability for improved thermo-mechanical design for hot climatic operations.

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Nondestructive characterization of encapsulant discoloration effects in crystalline-silicon PV modules

Cited by 90 publications

References 28 publications

Optical degradation impact on the spectral performance of photovoltaic technology

Optical degradation impact on the spectral performance of photovoltaic technology

Survey of maintenance management for photovoltaic power systems

Effect of operating temperature on degradation of solder joints in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules for improved reliability in hot climates

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