ADVANCED PHOTOVOLTAICS
Module Durability (PP4.3)
PP4.3: Module Durability
Investigators: Dr Pei-Chieh Hsiao
Module manufacturers typically require longer and more extensive testing of modules in the lab before deploying new technologies in the market. This means that companies looking to deploy new module technology in Australia will need to extensively test modules in the lab before deploying the technologies in the field. This activity will require the environmental testing facilities of the Solar Industrial Research Facility, with specialised research activities being conducted to investigate the physics of failure underlying identified failure modes.
Physics of failure research will include furthering the UNSW capabilities of module microscopic and elemental analysis currently being developed to further the understanding of bonding that occurs between cell metallisation and low melting temperature solders during lamination.
The capability to investigate corrosion faults (occurring within modules or associated with their frames) will also be developed to assist industry partners who are deploying PV modules in extreme Australian environments.
Objectives
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Develop stress models for both module and module assemblies which can simulate real Australian environmental conditions (high temperatures, module vibration from trackers)
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Provide physics of failure analysis to support module testing at the Solar Industrial Research Facility (service for Australian PV companies)
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Establish collaborations with physical scientists to further understand potential module degradation modes which are relevant to Australian conditions (e.g., corrosion, delamination).
PP4.3.1 Thermomechanical Stress Modelling
