1,720,997 research outputs found
OPTICAL STRAIN AND TEMPERATURE SENSING WITHIN PHOTOVOLTAIC LAMINATES
No full textQuantifying the lifetime of photovoltaic modules is getting increasingly important with the aim to drive further technological developments, to reduce financial risks and to accelerate the deployment for new photovoltaic applications. Many lifetime limiting factors can be directly or indirect related to temperature and strain acting on the laminate constituents. In this work a novel optical sensing solution is proposed based on Fibre Bragg Grating sensors which enables a direct validation of the thermo-mechanical strain within a PV laminate. A combined sensor package enables a direct monitoring or validation of the thermo-mechanical stress of a PV cell during production, accelerated testing and field testing. Initial testing shows a high potential due to the non-invasive nature, high sensitivity, scalability and optical transparency
Layer morphology and ink compatibility of silver nanoparticle inkjet inks for near-infrared sintering
No full textIn situ quantification of temperature and strain within photovoltaic modules through optical sensing
No full textEuropean Regional Development Fund; Interre
Thermo-mechanical finite element simulation of a sub-cell utilising wire interconnection
No full text
Mechanical Sensitivity analysis of a sub cell using wire interconnection
No full textAs explained in the introduction the reliability and durability of PV modules is becoming increasingly important to further reduce the overall cost of PV. A thorough investigation and understanding of the thermo-mechanical phenomena which influence the reliability will provide new insights to further optimize the lifetime of imec’s cell and module technologies. To reach this goal we aim to develop an understanding of failure mechanisms through implementation and verification of abottom-up physics based model utilizing the finite element method. We will study the impact of various material and technology parameters and their respective geometrical differences as well as appropriate approximation, homogenization and multiscale modelling techniques. A separate simulation model will be developed for each of the reliability levels (solder joint- cell- mini- and full-area module) which ultimately can be coupled and thereby predicting the overall mechanical reliability of PV modules for a defined module or cell technology. The simulation models will be verified both by dedicated materials and mechanical tests as well as utilizing industry relevant tests such as thermal cycling and mechanical stress testing. To achieve these goals, the first element to develop within this simulation tool is the cell and its interconnection technology modelling. In 2017 H1 a mechanical simulation model of a sub cell will be developped to industry standard cell with two different kinds of metallization (screen-printed and plated) and verified by experimental measurements using 4-point bending. We will also perform a sensitivity analysis to prepare further explorations.Agentschap innoveren & ondernemen; Europees fonds voor regionale ontwikkeling; Provincie Limbur
Combined Interconnection and Lamination of Bifacial Busbarless Cells through Woven Wiring
No full textIn this work we present a new technology for simultaneously interconnecting and encapsulating bifacial busbarless solar cells, using a multi-wire approach combined with weaving technology. A background discussion on existing multi-wire interconnection technologies allows to compare this new approach, which potentially improves performance and reliability and reduces process complexity and costs. After a more in-depth review of the weaving aspects, an extensive experimental campaign has been performed to optimize the combined interconnection/lamination process and obtain homogeneous solder joints. Preliminary thermal cycling tests have been executed, showing the stability and reliability of the solder joint contacts on 1-cell glass-glass laminates. Finally, the realization of a 2x2-cell-module proof-of-concept demonstrates the technical viability and performance of the technology
Combined Interconnection and Lamination of Bifacial Busbarless Cells through Woven Wiring
No full textIn this work we present a new technology for simultaneously interconnecting and encapsulating bifacial busbarless solar cells, using a multi-wire approach combined with weaving technology. A background discussion on existing multi-wire interconnection technologies allows to compare this new approach, which potentially improves performance and reliability and reduces process complexity and costs. After a more in-depth review of the weaving aspects, an extensive experimental campaign has been performed to optimize the combined interconnection/lamination process and obtain homogeneous solder joints. Preliminary thermal cycling tests have been executed, showing the stability and reliability of the solder joint contacts on 1-cell glass-glass laminates. Finally, the realization of a 2x2-cell-module proof-of-concept demonstrates the technical viability and performance of the technology
Mechanical Sensitivity analysis of a sub cell using wire interconnection
No full textAs explained in the introduction the reliability and durability of PV modules is becoming increasingly important to further reduce the overall cost of PV. A thorough investigation and understanding of the thermo-mechanical phenomena which influence the reliability will provide new insights to further optimize the lifetime of imec’s cell and module technologies. To reach this goal we aim to develop an understanding of failure mechanisms through implementation and verification of abottom-up physics based model utilizing the finite element method. We will study the impact of various material and technology parameters and their respective geometrical differences as well as appropriate approximation, homogenization and multiscale modelling techniques. A separate simulation model will be developed for each of the reliability levels (solder joint- cell- mini- and full-area module) which ultimately can be coupled and thereby predicting the overall mechanical reliability of PV modules for a defined module or cell technology. The simulation models will be verified both by dedicated materials and mechanical tests as well as utilizing industry relevant tests such as thermal cycling and mechanical stress testing. To achieve these goals, the first element to develop within this simulation tool is the cell and its interconnection technology modelling. In 2017 H1 a mechanical simulation model of a sub cell will be developped to industry standard cell with two different kinds of metallization (screen-printed and plated) and verified by experimental measurements using 4-point bending. We will also perform a sensitivity analysis to prepare further explorations.Agentschap innoveren & ondernemen; Europees fonds voor regionale ontwikkeling; Provincie Limbur
Stress and strain within photovoltaic modules using the finite element method: A critical review
No full textSimulation tools are increasingly employed towards quantifying the lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) modules while providing valuable insights into the various failure modes. The use of the finite element method (FEM) in this regard has been especially popular because of its flexibility and the ability to quantify stress levels for a large variety of scenarios ranging from process-induced stress up to field conditions. The thermo-mechanical behaviour of the module or its components is often considered due to the link with common field failures such as cell cracks, interconnection failures, glass fracture, delamination and many others. However, the approaches used, the various inputs considered and the obtained results are highly scattered and sometimes conflicting. This work provides a structured review of the reported simulation approaches and resulting insights obtained through thermo-mechanical finite element simulations on commercial as well as novel PV module technologies. The influence and validity of various inputs such as the used material models, boundary conditions and other assumptions are discussed. Learnings and best practices can be leveraged by future simulations to expand on and accelerate the design-for-reliability capabilities of finite element models for PV modules.The authors would like to thank all Energyville partners: KULeuven, vito, UHasselt and imec for their contributions to this work. This research and the APC were funded by the project Rolling Solar, executed within the framework of the cross-border collaboration program Interreg Euregio Meuse-Rhine V-A with financial support of the European Regional Development Fund. Contribution in this work was also supported in the context of INES.2S, funded from the French State under its
investment for the future programme with the reference ANR-10-IEED0014-01. The authors would also like to personally thank A. J. Beinert for the permission to reuse his figures
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