The impact of cracks on the performance of photovoltaic modules

Dhimish, Mahmoud; Holmes, Violeta; Dales, Mark; Mather, Peter; Sibley, Martin J.N.; Chong, Benjamin; Zhang, Li

doi:10.1109/ptc.2017.7980824

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…If the microcracks in a solar cell separate apart less than 8% of the cell area, no power loss occurs. These claims are also in line with our recent research, showing that the effects of diagonal and parallel cracks on the PV power performance are only significant when they are present in several cells and a certain amount of area [53].…”

Section: Literature On the Performance Modelling Of Pv Systemssupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Their performance was compared to a commercial module of the same technology, displaying that cell cracks can reduce energy production by 29% in some cases. The degree of performance losses was found to be correlated to the amount of cell cracks present, which is in line with our own research in [53]. Finally, while snail trails can indirectly affect the performance of the PV modules, their evolution was found to be very limited by analyzing their long-term behavior, thereby posing no further threat regarding power losses.…”

Section: Literature On the Performance Modelling Of Pv Systemssupporting

confidence: 85%

“…Indicator Type Description of Indicator Impact Severity [52] Crack orientation Cracks parallel to and centered between busbars Power drop of less than 4% [52] Crack orientation Cracks parallel on both sides of both busbars Power drop of 60% [53] Crack size If area separated by microcrack in a solar cell is less than 8% No power loss [46] Crack size Diagonal and parallel orientation cracks Significant power loss only when present in several cells and over enough area [54,55] Crack orientation Vertical and multiple orierntation microcracks Deemed as the most critical types causing significant power output drops…”

Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Models for Photovoltaic Crack and Hotspot Prediction

2022

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The accurate prediction of the performance output of photovoltaic (PV) installations is becoming ever more prominent. Its success can provide a considerable economic benefit, which can be adopted in maintenance, installation, and when calculating levelized cost. However, modelling the long-term performance output of PV modules is quite complex, particularly because multiple factors are involved. This article investigates the available literature relevant to the modelling of PV module performance drop and failure. A particular focus is placed on cracks and hotspots, as these are deemed to be the most influential. Thus, the key aspects affecting the accuracy of performance simulations were identified and the perceived relevant gaps in the literature were outlined. One of the findings demonstrates that microcrack position, orientation, and the severity of a microcrack determines its impact on the PV cell’s performance. Therefore, this aspect needs to be categorized and considered accordingly, for achieving accurate predictions. Additionally, it has been identified that physical modelling of microcracks is currently a considerable challenge that can provide beneficial results if executed appropriately. As a result, suggestions have been made towards achieving this, through the use of methods and software such as XFEM and Griddler.

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Section: Literature On the Performance Modelling Of Pv Systemssupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Literature On the Performance Modelling Of Pv Systemssupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Models for Photovoltaic Crack and Hotspot Prediction

2022

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“…This paper presents a micro cracks solar cell detection setup using the conventional EL imaging procedure. The EL process has been previously discussed in former articles such as [7] and [17]; for ease of visualizing, a typical EL imaging setup is shown in Fig. 1(a).…”

Section: Ultra-fast High-resolution Solar Cell Cracksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By connection the solar cell sample into a forward bias mode, a current would be generated, hence, the electrons of the solar cell are excited into the conduction band whereby the image of the EL can be observed. This technique is commonly used in industry practices, since it can be used not only with small scale solar cell dimensions, and in addition to, it can be used with full scale PV panels [7] and [8]. The EL method requires the solar cells to be in the forward biased in order to radiate infrared contamination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafast High-Resolution Solar Cell Cracks Detection Process

Dhimish

Mather

2020

IEEE Trans. Ind. Inf.

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This paper presents the advancement of an ultrafast high-resolution cracks detection in solar cells manufacturing system. The aim of the developed process is to (i) improve the quality of the calibrated image taken by a low-cost conventional electroluminescent (EL) imaging setup, (ii) proposing a novel methodology to enhance the speed of the detection of the solar cell cracks, and finally (iii) develop a proper procedure to decide whether to accept or reject the solar cell due to the existence of the cracks. The proposed detection process has been validated on various cracked/free-crack solar cell samples, evidently it was found that the cracks type, size and orientation are more visible using the proposes method, while the speed of calibrating the EL images are in the range of 0.1s to 0.3s, excluding the EL imaging time.

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Solar photovoltaic potential and diffusion assessment for Pakistan

Khatri

Harijan

Uqaili

et al. 2022

Energy Science & Engineering

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In Pakistan, around 58% of current electricity is generated from fossil fuels and only 2.4% is generated using renewable energy (RE) resources even though country is blessed with enormous RE potential. Among other RE resources, Pakistan's geographical location offers high solar energy potential, which implies that actual potential assessment should be undertaken. This study, as such, undertakes a comprehensive assessment of solar energy potential and prospects of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for both off-grid and gridconnected systems. This study also estimates the future available capacity of rooftop and rural off-grid solar PV capacity. Three different types of solar PV modules of the same size, that is, thin-film, premium, and standard were modeled to compare energy outputs. NREL's System Advisor Model (SAM) is used to estimate the geographical and technical potential of solar PV considering updated data and geographical information. SAM results suggest that an average of 4.5 kWh/kWp/day is obtained from an installed capacity of 1 KWp. The logistic modeling equations are further used to forecast the solar PV penetration over a period until 2090. The research investigation concludes that 2.8 × 10 6 GWh of electricity can be generated annually in Pakistan. The estimated results prove that solar PV has the potential to meet the present as well as future energy needs of Pakistan.

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The impact of cracks on the performance of photovoltaic modules

Cited by 7 publications

References 13 publications

A Review of Models for Photovoltaic Crack and Hotspot Prediction

A Review of Models for Photovoltaic Crack and Hotspot Prediction

Ultrafast High-Resolution Solar Cell Cracks Detection Process

Solar photovoltaic potential and diffusion assessment for Pakistan

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