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