Reliability research and cell assembly design for photovoltaic concentrator modules
Sandia National Laboratories is pursuing research on the reliability of photovoltaic concentrator cell assemblies. Active research topics include selection of solders and soldering processes, modeling of solder fatigue, investigation of metallization adhesion, evaluation of adhesives and coatings, and analysis of hot-spot heating and the effects of module shading. Hardware and material samples are subjected to test environments including temperature and humidity cycling, and ultraviolet and outdoor exposure. Evaluation techniques used to detect flaws or degradation are electrical performance measurements, ultrasonic imaging, radiography, optical transmission and reflection measurements, pull tests, and current leakage measurements. Analysis tools are failure modeling, holographic deformation visualization, and finite element stress calculation. The procedures and results of our reliability research concerning cell assemblies are described. We present our ideas for the design of cell assemblies for high efficiency, low cost, and enhanced reliability.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6802907
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-1179C; CONF-870528-10; ON: DE87009055
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ADHESIVES
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DEFECTS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
JOINING
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
RELIABILITY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLDERING
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
WELDING