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Modelling and experimental investigations of microcracks in crystalline silicon photovoltaics: A review

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  • Papargyri, Lamprini
  • Theristis, Marios
  • Kubicek, Bernhard
  • Krametz, Thomas
  • Mayr, Christoph
  • Papanastasiou, Panos
  • Georghiou, George E.

Abstract

In recent years, the scientific research into photovoltaic (PV) technology has focused on the failure modes in order to increase the PV reliability, durability and service lifetime. One of the predominant failure modes that appears in the crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV technology is the cell cracking that may damage the mechanical integrity of the PV module and hence, result in power loss due to the disconnected areas of the cell. Other forms of degradation may also be triggered such as potential induced degradation (PID) and hot spots. Therefore, the understanding of the cracking mechanism is of great importance. This paper presents the origins and factors that affect the cell cracks. Classification of cracks has been conducted as their characteristics determine the mechanical and electrical degradation of the PV module. Furthermore, experimental and numerical studies related to PV cracks on the scale of wafer, cell and PV module are analysed in detail. The results from the above investigations show that cracks do not always lead to a strong performance degradation and therefore the impact of cracks on the electrical characteristics of PV modules is still debatable.

Suggested Citation

  • Papargyri, Lamprini & Theristis, Marios & Kubicek, Bernhard & Krametz, Thomas & Mayr, Christoph & Papanastasiou, Panos & Georghiou, George E., 2020. "Modelling and experimental investigations of microcracks in crystalline silicon photovoltaics: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 2387-2408.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:145:y:2020:i:c:p:2387-2408
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.07.138
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    Cited by:

    1. Høiaas, Ingeborg & Grujic, Katarina & Imenes, Anne Gerd & Burud, Ingunn & Olsen, Espen & Belbachir, Nabil, 2022. "Inspection and condition monitoring of large-scale photovoltaic power plants: A review of imaging technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Waqar Akram, M. & Li, Guiqiang & Jin, Yi & Chen, Xiao, 2022. "Failures of Photovoltaic modules and their Detection: A Review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    3. Dhimish, Mahmoud & Ahmad, Ameer & Tyrrell, Andy M., 2022. "Inequalities in photovoltaics modules reliability: From packaging to PV installation site," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 805-814.
    4. Mathhar Bdour & Zakariya Dalala & Mohammad Al-Addous & Ashraf Radaideh & Aseel Al-Sadi, 2020. "A Comprehensive Evaluation on Types of Microcracks and Possible Effects on Power Degradation in Photovoltaic Solar Panels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Chakraborty, Suprava & Haldkar, Avinash Kumar & Manoj Kumar, Nallapaneni, 2023. "Analysis of the hail impacts on the performance of commercially available photovoltaic modules of varying front glass thickness," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 345-356.
    6. Liang, Tao & Fu, Tong & Hu, Cong & Chen, Xiaohang & Su, Shanhe & Chen, Jincan, 2021. "Optimum matching of photovoltaic–thermophotovoltaic cells efficiently utilizing full-spectrum solar energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 942-952.
    7. Tuhibur Rahman & Ahmed Al Mansur & Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu & Md. Siddikur Rahman & Ratil H. Ashique & Mohamad Abou Houran & Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan & Eklas Hossain, 2023. "Investigation of Degradation of Solar Photovoltaics: A Review of Aging Factors, Impacts, and Future Directions toward Sustainable Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-30, April.
    8. Georgios Goudelis & Pavlos I. Lazaridis & Mahmoud Dhimish, 2022. "A Review of Models for Photovoltaic Crack and Hotspot Prediction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    9. Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & João Paulo N. Torres & João P. de Melo Cunha, 2022. "A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-44, March.

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