Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEWorkshop on PV Module Reliability
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, invite to the 2018 SOPHIA workshop »PV Module Reliability« from September 4 to 5 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The workshop will feature reliability aspects in connection with new challenges imposed by novel components of PV modules, presently observed failure modes and the further development of suitable test cycles towards service life testing. The workshop will be embedded in a EUROREG workshop which is intended to provide a forum of global trends and current challenges on photovoltaics and nanophotonics in the fields of research, industry and market.
This year’s topics of the workshop are:
- Reliability aspects in PV power plants: On one hand, the Potential Induced Degradation showed the dramatic impact of the string design and the inverter topology on the PV module degradation. But on the other hand, a non-uniform module degradation leads to an increased power-loss because of mismatch effects.
- Recent reliability issues and field failures: Modules become more and more durable and powerful with further R&D. Previously dominating durability problems are solved but new failure modes can occur by using new materials.
- Location specific stress combinations: Most of the standardized type approval tests are performed for one single stress factor only. But nature is diverse. Degradation modes based on combined stress factors are neglected. It is a big challenge to combine different stress factors correlating the natural abundance, like ultraviolet light, temperature, thermomechanical stress, based on temperature cycles, mechanical stress, humidity, pollutants and soiling, or to control the stress level. The questions of how to implement such combined tests or how to simulate them by applying sequential stress tests or by carrying
- Polymers in PV modules: Polymers for encapsulation are very important for the production processes and the durability of PV modules. Innovative materials offer chances for improved performance and reduced prices, but the durability has to be kept at a high level.
- Flexible modules: The substitution of glass and even silicon cells allows for new production methods, module designs and applications. Can the present standards be applied for qualification testing?
"The very fact that we can look forward to the 8th edition of our workshop on PV reliability shows that the topic still holds a lot of open and relevant questions for this established sector. We are also proud to lend a stage to our early stage researchers of the MSCA project SOLAR-TRAIN who will have the opportunity to meet fellow scientists who can share their expertise and bring them a step ahead in their own research", says Dr. Michael Köhl, senior researcher and initiator of the workshop series.
For more information and for registration please visit the workshop’s website:
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