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

John H. Wohlgemuth; Sarah Kurtz

doi:10.1109/irps.2011.5784534

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

John H. Wohlgemuth, Sarah Kurtz

Materials Science

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

60 Scopus Citations

Abstract

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 recommends the 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.

Original language	American English
Pages	5E.3.1-5E.3.6
Number of pages	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/irps.2011.5784534 https://doi.org/10.1109/IRPS.2011.5784534
State	Published - 2011
Event	49th International Reliability Physics Symposium, IRPS 2011 - Monterey, CA, United States Duration: 10 Apr 2011 → 14 Apr 2011

Conference

Conference	49th International Reliability Physics Symposium, IRPS 2011
Country/Territory	United States
City	Monterey, CA
Period	10/04/11 → 14/04/11

NREL Publication Number

NREL/CP-5200-52150

Keywords

Grid Parity
Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)
Photovoltaic module reliability
Qualification Testing
Reliability Testing

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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title = "Reliability Testing Beyond Qualification as a Key Component in Photovoltaic's Progress Toward Grid Parity",

abstract = "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 recommends the 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.",

keywords = "Grid Parity, Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Photovoltaic module reliability, Qualification Testing, Reliability Testing",

author = "Wohlgemuth, {John H.} and Sarah Kurtz",

year = "2011",

doi = "10.1109/irps.2011.5784534",

language = "American English",

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note = "49th International Reliability Physics Symposium, IRPS 2011 ; Conference date: 10-04-2011 Through 14-04-2011",

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Wohlgemuth, JH & Kurtz, S 2011, 'Reliability Testing Beyond Qualification as a Key Component in Photovoltaic's Progress Toward Grid Parity', Paper presented at 49th International Reliability Physics Symposium, IRPS 2011, Monterey, CA, United States, 10/04/11 - 14/04/11 pp. 5E.3.1-5E.3.6. https://doi.org/10.1109/irps.2011.5784534, https://doi.org/10.1109/IRPS.2011.5784534

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AU - Wohlgemuth, John H.

AU - Kurtz, Sarah

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N2 - 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 recommends the 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.

AB - 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 recommends the 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.

KW - Grid Parity

KW - Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE)

KW - Photovoltaic module reliability

KW - Qualification Testing

KW - Reliability Testing

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T2 - 49th International Reliability Physics Symposium, IRPS 2011

Y2 - 10 April 2011 through 14 April 2011

ER -

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

Abstract

Conference

NREL Publication Number

Keywords

UN SDGs

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