Acceleration Factors for Combined?Accelerated Stress Testing of Photovoltaic Modules

Combined-accelerated stress testing (C-AST) was developed to establish the durability of photovoltaic (PV) modules and balance systems components, including degradation modes that are not known a-priori or examined in standardized tests. This is achieved by comprehensively representing sample, factors, their combinations using levels at statistical tails natural environment. Acceleration factors for C-AST with respect Florida climate were estimated based on analytic empirical means selected mechanisms within sequences cycle. We found that, outer polymer layer, acceleration factor Tropical sequence (the longest sequences) f (T, G) = 17.3 UV photodegradation (backsheets); polyethylene terephthalate (PET) hydrolysis (backsheets), RH) 426; electrochemical corrosion (PV cell), (I) 14.1; PbSn solder fatigue (?T, r (T)) 17.3. Here, T module temperature, G broadband spectrum irradiance plane array module, RH relative humidity surface, I leakage current through packaging, r(T), number temperature reversals. The methods discussed herein generally applicable evaluating other accelerated test methods. article protected copyright. All rights reserved.