Photovoltaic Modules: Technology and Reliability provides unique insights into concepts, material design strategies, manufacturing techniques, quality and service life analysis of wafer-based photovoltaic modules. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the authors focus on two main topics. Part I - Crystalline Silicone Module Technology offers photovoltaics fundamentals: solar cell properties, module design, materials and production, basic module characterization, module power as well as efficiency and module performance. Part II, on the other hand, illustrates the state-of-the-art of module reliability by characterization of modules and degradation effects, examination of PV-Module loads, accelerated aging tests as well as reliability testing of materials and modules. A separate chapter is dedicated to PV module and component certification.

Autorentext

Harry Wirth, Karl-Anders Weiß and Cornelia Wiesmeier, Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg, Germany.

Inhalt

From the Contents:

• Fundamentals
  
  • History of PV modules
  • Buildup and specifications
  • Solar cells properties
  • Types of solar cells
  • Properties
  • Electrical properties
  • Mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties
  • Interconnection
  • Materials (ribbons/wires, JB)
  • Processes
  • Industrial Tools
  • Encapsulation
  • Materials (glass, encapsulants, backsheets)
  • Processes
  • Industrial Tools
  • Module characterisation and QA
  • Flasher measurement
  • Peel, Gel content
  • Module efficiency
  • Electrical models
  • Optical models
  • Cell-to-Module efficiency
  • Module yield
  • Yield models
  • Module performance ratio
  • Reliability
  • Module and component testing
  • Climatic loads in module operation
  • Module failures in the field
  • Accelerated testing
  • Module and component certification
  • IEC 61215, 61730