Service Life of Modules and Materials

R&D and other services

Our services comprise:

Photovoltaic Modules

Photovoltaic Materials and Components

Analytics

Outdoor Exposure

Accelerated Aging Tests

We test and assess materials, components and products with regard to their durability and suitability for use in PV modules and systems.

We do this by measuring and analyzing macro- and microclimatic degradation factors at different outdoor test sites located around the world. Furthermore, we develop non-destructive testing procedures and experimental methods for identifying degradation indicators and diagnosing changes to materials and damage. Numerical simulation techniques help us to calculate mass and energy transport processes, to understand the kinetics of degradation processes and to describe changes in the relevant output characteristics. It is also possible to calculate the mechanical response of PV modules under load using numerical simulation methods. We offer individual tests for analyzing materials in new product developments.

Thanks to our newly developed test facilities and test sequences for PV modules, we are also able to conduct accelerated aging tests on PV modules in the lab. We contribute the findings from such tests to national and international standardization bodies and collaborations (IEA, EU).

The IEC-accredited TestLab PV Modules provides measurements and tests for PV module type approval in line with national and international standards.

Karl-Anders Weiß

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Karl-Anders Weiß

Service Life of Modules and Materials, Outdoor Exposure

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5474

Daniel Philipp

Contact Press / Media

Daniel Philipp

Service Life and Failure Analysis

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5414

Kerstin Körner-Ruf

Contact Press / Media

Kerstin Körner-Ruf

Assistant

Fraunhofer ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 4588-5030