Reliability and long term durability of bifacial photovoltaic modules using transparent backsheet

Arihara, Keita; Koyoshi, Ryosuke; Ishii, Yasuhiro; Kadowaki, Masaru; Nakahara, Atsushi; Nishikawa, Hitoshi; Takayama, Teruhiko; Nishimura, Hiroyuki; Ogawa, Kazuhiko; Chiba, Yasuo; Masuda, Atsushi

doi:10.7567/jjap.57.08rg15

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…It is more desirable than other design types. Annual degradation rate is 0.5% for dual glass and 0.7% for polymer back sheets [55]. We used Jinko 450Wp bifacial module with a bifacialty factor of 73.5%.…”

Section: Equipment Selection 321 Bifacial Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Optimum Installation and Power Injection Parameters for a Bifacial Rooftop System

Mhaske²,

Lenze³

et al. 2021

IJRER

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Bifacial Photovoltaics has gained significant traction in recent years due to a combination of superior radiation capture capabilities and reducing costs. This study builds on a prior 1.07 MW (DC) solar system analysis for Effat University Campus in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by adding a Bifacial system. The paper describes a modeling methodology focusing on critical parameters that affect bifacial gains, such as the solar system's tilt angle, surface albedo, and shading. The results have been summarized as sensitivities to changes in input variables such as the surface albedo with ceteris paribus assumption. This case study showed a change in surface albedo to increase the specific production from 1771 kWh/kW to 1829 kWh/kW suggesting an increase in bifacial gain of more than 3%.

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Section: Equipment Selection 321 Bifacial Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Optimum Installation and Power Injection Parameters for a Bifacial Rooftop System

Mhaske²,

Lenze³

et al. 2021

IJRER

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“…In comparison, the glass/transparent backsheet design typically weigh 20% to 40% less than that of its glass/glass counterpart with the same dimensions and power 9 . Glass/transparent backsheet modules also have the advantage of high light transmittance, smaller heat capacity, higher stain resistance, corrosion resistance to saline and alkali soils, lower susceptibility for hail damage, high yield, and a high throughput manufacturing process 9,10 . Despite these advantages, there are currently limited studies addressing their reliability and long‐term performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Glass/transparent backsheet modules also have the advantage of high light transmittance, smaller heat capacity, higher stain resistance, corrosion resistance to saline and alkali soils, lower susceptibility for hail damage, high yield, and a high throughput manufacturing process. 9,10 Despite these advantages, there are currently limited studies addressing their reliability and long-term performance. Past research has shown polymer backsheets are susceptible to ultraviolet (UV) light, heat, moisture, abrasions, and mechanical stress and are vulnerable to photodegradation and thermomechanical and hydromechanical degradation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transparent backsheets for bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules: Material characterization and accelerated laboratory testing

Smith

Perry

Watson

et al. 2021

Progress in Photovoltaics

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Interest in bifacial modules has rapidly increased over the past decade due to their ability to generate more power than conventional monofacial photovoltaic (PV) technology as they can absorb sunlight from both sides of the module. Compared to the traditional glass/glass bifacial modules, glass/backsheet modules show many advantages including lighter weight, high light transmittance, and high corrosion resistance. However, research on the weatherability and long-term reliability of transparent backsheet materials and their usage in bifacial modules under service environments is lacking. In this study, accelerated weather testing using the NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure) was conducted to investigate the durability of three fluoropolymer-based transparent backsheets and their laminated coupon counterparts. The transparent backsheets were exposed at 75 C/50% relative humidity (RH), while the coupons were exposed at 65 C/50% RH, both subjected to UV irradiance of approximately 140 W/m 2 for up to 2000 h. Results indicate that a fluoroethylene vinyl ether (FEVE)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)-based transparent backsheet (CB3) exhibited substantial chemical, optical, thermal, and mechanical changes and ultimate cracking after 1200 h (≈600 MJ/m 2 ). The other two backsheets, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF)/PET/FEVE-based (CB1) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/PET/FEVE-based (CB2) backsheets, showed no obvious signs of cracking up to 2000 h of UV exposure(≈1000 MJ/m 2 ). For all three backsheets, the PET core layer demonstrated the greatest material property changes after UV exposure indicating that this layer is the most susceptible to UV degradation. Results indicate that the application of transparent backsheets for bifacial modules is promising. However, proper design of the layers of the backsheets for increasing the stability of PET core layer under UV exposure is critical. This study will provide a scientific basis for material choice and product development for a more reliable bifacial PV technology.

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“…In particular, design-for-reliability for bifacial PV modules should address their intrinsically higher operational currents, the use of double glass (front and back cover) layouts or novel transparent sheet materials, and the trend towards higher operational voltages. [7][8][9][10] On this basis, it is recommended today to check not only for an approved IEC 61215 test on the bifacial PV module type considered for use but also for additional tests, for example, for PID (IEC TS 62804-series) and junction boxes/bypass diodes (IEC 62979 and IEC TS 62916).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why and how to adapt PID testing for bifacial PV modules?

Carolus

Breugelmans

Tsanakas³

et al. 2020

Progress in Photovoltaics

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Recent research has shown that bifacial PV modules with a glass/glass packaging are prone to different PID mechanisms occurring simultaneously on the front and the rear side of the solar cell. With this in mind, researchers investigating the impact of PID on each side of the bifacial solar cell separately apply PID stress to one side of bifacial PV modules according to stress method (b) as described in the IEC TS 62804‐1, that is, contacting the surface with a conductive electrode. Yet, in this paper, we show that such practice of PID testing might result in an unintended development of an electric field between the environmental chamber and the nonstressed side of the solar cell. Through our experimental study, we reveal that this electric field results in unintended bifacial PID stress of bifacial solar cells, which goes along with misleading interpretations of the evolving PID mechanisms and susceptibility of bifacial PV modules. Next to the methodology concerns, we discuss three possible solutions to prevent such unintended PID mechanisms from occurring.

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Reliability and long term durability of bifacial photovoltaic modules using transparent backsheet

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

Assessment of Optimum Installation and Power Injection Parameters for a Bifacial Rooftop System

Assessment of Optimum Installation and Power Injection Parameters for a Bifacial Rooftop System

Transparent backsheets for bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules: Material characterization and accelerated laboratory testing

Why and how to adapt PID testing for bifacial PV modules?

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