Review
Energy & Fuels
Xiaopu Wang, Xinyi Tian, Xiaodong Chen, Lingling Ren, Chunxiang Geng
Summary: With the exponential increase in global installations, the number of end-of-life solar PV panels is also surging. However, current recycling technology studies are mainly in the experimental stage and often overlook the issues of high cost, low recycling value, and secondary pollution. This review provides a systematic summary of the recycling technologies and condition parameters for end-of-life PV modules, discusses the strengths and weaknesses of current technologies, and explores future research directions. It aims to serve as a technical reference for the upcoming recycling surge of end-of-life PV modules worldwide.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amir A. Abdallah, Kamran Ali, Maulid Kivambe
Summary: The study investigates the performance and reliability of multi-crystalline, mono-crystalline, and silicon heterojunction PV arrays in desert climate over a 5-year period. A drop in energy yield and visual defects were observed, leading to further analysis. Among different manufacturers, multi-crystalline silicon (Multi_A), (Multi_B), and (Multi_E) showed the lowest annual degradation rate below 1%/year, while multi-crystalline silicon (Multi_D) and mono-crystalline silicon (Mono_G) exhibited the highest PV module power degradation. Encapsulant yellowing, back sheet cracking, and cell cracking were prominent failure modes.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Henning Schulte-Huxel, Thomas Daschinger, Byungsul Min, Till Brendemuehl, Rolf Brendel
Summary: Reducing silver consumption in global PV production requires new approaches for cell metallization and module integration. The inclusion of screen-printed aluminum cell metallization on the front side shows potential, but requires redesigning of solder pads and busbars. A new metallization design using narrow Ag busbars and optimized solder pad dimensions can effectively reduce contact resistance and shading losses.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2024)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Sagarika Kumar, Roopmati Meena, Rajesh Gupta
Summary: The research in defects and degradations in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules plays a crucial role in ensuring the long-term operation of solar power plants worldwide. This review focuses on improving reliability and preventing D&D in cell metallization and interconnects through various operating modes and common variable parameters. Understanding defect mechanisms and utilizing effective characterization techniques are essential in detecting and analyzing defects in finger and interconnects to prevent D&D.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Zhu Jing-Yan, Zou Shuai, Sun Hua, Su Xiao-Dong
Summary: Introducing nanostructures into polymer backsheets for enhanced heat conduction and radiation characteristics has become a new trend for improving the cooling effects of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. Studying the thermal properties of PV modules and comparing the thermal power and cooling effects of different backsheets can provide valuable insights for the future design of PV-direct-cooling backsheets. The influence of thermal parameters on the thermal process and operating temperature is discussed in detail, aiming to optimize the performance and longevity of PV modules.
ACTA PHYSICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Juhi Singh, Mohan Aditya Sabbineni, Ravi P. Jaiswal
Summary: Renewable energy sources, particularly solar technologies, are gaining popularity for their ability to meet the increasing energy demand, while concerns for the environment are growing. This paper presents a mathematical model and its validation for a novel 'internal' active cooling mechanism, which effectively lowers the temperature of crystalline silicon PV modules. The results show that the proposed internal cooling method reduces the temperature of a Si solar cell by at least 5 degrees C, leading to a higher net gain in the output of a solar power plant compared to conventional external air cooling.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kohjiro Hara, Yasuo Chiba
Summary: The degradation of an encapsulant made of EVA in long-term outdoor-exposed c-Si PV modules was investigated. Two predominant types of degradations, discoloration (yellow-browning) and formation of acetic acid (AcOH), were observed. The yellow-browning may be caused by additives like UV absorbers, while AcOH was formed from EVA itself.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinhai Xu, Dengguo Lai, Wenxuan Wang, Yin Wang
Summary: An integrated crystalline silicon cell regeneration technique is proposed, which successfully recovers high-purity and intact silicon wafers and constructs various anti-reflection textures. The recovered silicon wafers have low reflectivity and excellent performance, making them excellent options for high-efficient photovoltaic module production. The integrated strategy has lower production cost and high resource sustainability.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Julio Pascual, Francisco Martinez-Moreno, Miguel Garcia, Javier Marcos, Luis Marroyo, Eduardo Lorenzo
Summary: The study investigates degradation rates of PV modules in Spain and Portugal over 10 years, finding a range of 0.01% to 0.47% and an average of 0.27% per year. It highlights the importance of good operation and maintenance practices in maintaining low degradation rates.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emilie Scheunemann Lovato, Laureane Matter Donato, Poliana Pollizello Lopes, Eduardo Hiromitsu Tanabe, Daniel Assumpcao Bertuol
Summary: The demand for photovoltaic panels has increased, highlighting the importance of recycling due to high production costs and scarcity of resources. The use of supercritical CO2 and planetary ball milling proved to be effective in enhancing recovery and purity of materials. Additionally, it significantly reduced the delamination time compared to atmospheric pressure methods.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hao Cui, Garvin Heath, Timothy Remo, Dwarakanath Ravikumar, Timothy Silverman, Michael Deceglie, Michael Kempe, Jill Engel-Cox
Summary: Recycling is an important strategy in the circular economy, particularly for photovoltaics. However, there is a lack of cost estimates and process information for recycling c-Si PV modules. This study provides detailed cost estimates for two proposed recycling processes and discusses approaches to reduce costs and increase recycling rates.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tomihisa Tachibana, Katsuhiko Shirasawa, Katsuto Tanahashi
Summary: Lightweight and flexible solar cell modules have great potential to be installed in locations with loading limitations and to expand the photovoltaics market. The use of polyethylene terephthalate films instead of thick glass cover as front cover materials allows for the fabrication of lightweight modules with crystalline silicon solar cells. Accelerated degradation tests demonstrated that these lightweight and flexible modules exhibit high reliability under both high temperature and high humidity conditions.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jonathan L. Bryan, Timothy J. Silverman, Michael G. Deceglie, Zachary C. Holman
Summary: Minimizing module heating through maximizing light reflection can effectively reduce operating temperatures and increase the lifetime of photovoltaic systems. By deriving and simplifying models, researchers can isolate temperature differences caused by reflectance from other factors, based on outdoor measured data.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Horng-Horng Lin, Harshad Kumar Dandage, Keh-Moh Lin, You-Teh Lin, Yeou-Jiunn Chen
Summary: This study developed an automatic cell segmentation technique and a CNN-based defect detection system for visual defect inspection in solar PV modules manufacturing industry. The system achieved accurate defect detection with 99.8% accuracy and enhanced visualization through pseudo-colorization of defects.
Article
Physics, Applied
Kohjiro Hara, Yasuo Chiba
Summary: The long-term durability of c-Si PV modules was significantly improved by using low-barrier materials in a breathable module structure, which prevented corrosion of finger electrodes on c-Si solar cells. Raman spectroscopy data indicated that degradation of the EVA encapsulants was suppressed by a breathable front film.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Zhiqiang Wang, Siyang Dai, Yao Zhao, Guofeng Li, Bing Ji, Volker Pickert, Bowen Gu, Shuai Ding
Summary: This paper proposes a lumped-charge model for IEGT single chip, considering the effect of carrier injection enhancement in the emitter. The parasitic inductance of the parallel branches in PP-IEGT is extracted using Ansys simulation, and the validity of Ansys simulation is verified. Furthermore, the switching inconsistency is evaluated by combining the electrical model and the effect of mutual inductance, and it is found that mutual inductance is an important factor influencing electrical parameter distribution.
MICROELECTRONICS RELIABILITY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sankha Subhra Ghosh, Surajit Chattopadhyay, Arabinda Das, Nageswara Rao Medikondu, Abdulkarem H. M. Almawgani, Adam R. H. Alhawari, Sudipta Das
Summary: This article describes a method for identifying the IGBT switch breakdown failure in a 3-phase, 3-level Voltage Source Converter linked to the photovoltaic grid. Comparative learning has been used to detect the specific parameter suitable for the detection of the failure.
MICROELECTRONICS RELIABILITY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Milad Khajehvand, Henri Seppanen, Panthea Sepehrband
Summary: Using SEM/EDX analysis, microscale fracture at the bond-pad is detected during the wedge bonding process of Cu wire to a Cu or Al substrate. It is observed that the fracture of the bond leads to the formation of a bulge on the wire and a cavity in the substrate, causing fracture in the original substrate. 3D optical profiler reveals that the depth, radius, and surface area of the cavity increase with bond time for a constant bond force and power. These metrics are suggested as new factors for optimizing the wedge bonding process. The optimal bonding parameters should maximize the cavity's surface area (related to bond's pull force) while minimizing the cavity's depth relative to the substrate's thickness to avoid substrate damage. Furthermore, Molecular Dynamics simulations propose a potential plastic deformation mechanism for bond-pad damage, suggesting the benefits of using a small-grain-sized substrate, low transducer's vibration amplitude, and high transducer's frequency to minimize the cavity's depth.
MICROELECTRONICS RELIABILITY
(2024)
