Solar Industry Faces Major UV Degradation Challenge
The solar industry faces a significant challenge with ultraviolet (UV) induced degradation in photovoltaic (PV) modules. This issue has been a concern for around two and a half years, with recent developments highlighting its impact on various technologies and projects.
The closure of the Ivanpah Solar plant in California, which cost $2.2 billion to build, underscores the severity of this issue. The plant's closure is a result of UV degradation affecting its modules. This degradation is not limited to tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules; other technologies like PERC and heterojunction modules are also at risk.
The concern arises from two mechanisms at work in UV degradation. One causes irreversible damage, while the other leads to reversible power loss in dark storage. Recent findings indicate that UV-B light accelerates degradation processes in TOPCon solar cells, causing damage at a significantly faster rate than UV-A radiation. This raises questions about the durability and long-term performance of these modules.
UV degradation in lab tests can correspond to about one year of exposure in Europe, potentially impairing the economic viability of large PV projects. To address this, there is a need to include light soaking or another stabilization procedure after the UV test in standard testing procedures. Thorough UV testing should be part of ordinary quality control for manufacturers and buyers to mitigate risk.
Manufacturers can control UV degradation through careful process control or additives to the encapsulant, with varying effectiveness.
The solar industry must address the pressing issue of UV-induced degradation in PV modules. Robust testing procedures and manufacturing controls are crucial to ensure the durability and performance of solar projects. As the industry continues to grow, so too must its understanding and mitigation of this challenge.
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