- PV module failure analysis using electroluminescence
PV module lifetime prediction is a very important topic for industrial companies, developers and especially end-users. The well-known IEC 61215 and 61646 qualification tests provide design criteria, but do not provide comparative information about the durability of PV modules. No scale exists so far to sort out between modules lasting 20 years or 40 years within specific climates.
The partners in the Sophia RI project have the ambition to set criteria and define aging procedures to be able to predict PV module lifetime for specific climatic regions. These partners work in two areas :
- failure analysis : advanced characterisation methods
- definition and benchmarking of accelerated ageing tests
Several research infrastructures are working together on this topic (click here to see the collaborative work programme) and are available to perform additional research projects:
Partner | Research Infrastructures | Main Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
CEA-INES | <media 113 - - "APPLICATION, Sophia RI description CEA INES Module lifetime, Sophia_RI_description_CEA_INES_Module_lifetime.pdf, 173 KB">PV module laboratory</media> | PV module lamination (1,3x1,7m), IV curves, EL characterisation, climatic chambers, failure analysis |
ENEA | <media 152 - - "APPLICATION, Sophia RI Description Lifetime prediction and PV Module Performance ENEA, Sophia_RI_Description_Lifetime_prediction_and_PV_Module_Performance_ENEA.pdf, 99 KB">PV module qualification laboratory</media> | Climatic chambers, including DH, UV and salt spray corrosion test |
Fraunhofer ISE | <media 192 - - "APPLICATION, Sophia RI description Module Lifetime ISE Outdoor module testing, Sophia_RI_description_Module_Lifetime_ISE_Outdoor_module_testing.pdf, 1.9 MB">Outdoor PV module test facility</media> | 5 locations in various extreme climates (temperate, mountain, desert, marine, tropical) |
Fraunhofer ISE | <media 191 - - "APPLICATION, Sophia RI description Module Lifetime ISE Indoor UV Module testing, Sophia_RI_description_Module_Lifetime_ISE_Indoor_UV_Module_testing.pdf, 287 KB">Indoor durability test facility</media> | UV & temperature test chambers |
