Reliability Testing Beyond Qualification as a Key Component in Photovoltaic's Progress Toward Grid Parity: Preprint

Conference · Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/IRPS.2011.5784534· OSTI ID:1006252

Wohlgemuth, J H; Kurtz, S

This paper discusses why it is necessary for new lower cost PV modules to be tested using a reliability test sequence that goes beyond the Qualification test sequence now utilized for modules. Today most PV modules are warranted for 25 years, but the Qualification Test Sequence does not test for 25-year life. There is no accepted test protocol to validate a 25-year lifetime. This paper recommendsthe use of long term accelerated testing to compare now designs directly with older designs that have achieved long lifetimes in outdoor exposure. If the new designs do as well or better than the older ones, then it is likely that they will survive an equivalent length of time in the field.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1006252
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-5200-50599; TRN: US201105%%916
• Resource Relation: Conference: To be presented at the IEEE International Reliability Physics Symposium, 10-14 April 2011, Monterey, California
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
42 ENGINEERING
LIFETIME
OUTDOORS
PARITY
PHYSICS
RELIABILITY
TESTING
photovoltaic module reliability
reliability testing
qualification testing
levelized cost of electricity
LCOE
grid parity