Project: Accelerated product development for unconventional PV-applications through advanced reliability testing combined with early degradation detection

Acronym	PV-DETECT (Reference Number: 24)
Duration	01/09/2022 - 31/08/2026
Project Topic	In the mountainous countries of Switzerland and Austria, the availability of open spaces for ground-based PV systems is limited, which is why PV systems also have to be installed as integrated solutions in buildings, infrastructures, multi-purpose applications and alpine regions. PV systems operating in such “unconventional” environments must withstand different and enhanced stresses than those developed for large-area field installations in moderate climates. Depending on the application and environmental conditions, additional loads beyond the limits of IEC standard tests (higher UV loads for the alpine environment or increased thermal loads for BIPV etc.) can accelerate the degradation of PV modules. In order to accelerate the spread of PV systems in demanding environments, it is necessary to select stress-optimised materials, components and a module architecture that can withstand the increased loads and prevent early/premature module failures and unexpected performance losses. To enable efficient and fast product development, advanced tools for early quantitative detection of potential failures/degradation modes (induced by increased stress impact) are required. PV-DETECT aims to develop a method for early detection of failures through advanced reliability testing combined with sensitive degradation detection. This advanced methodology provides PV module manufacturers with a tool to accelerate the development of PV modules designed for specific environmental conditions or applications by a factor > 3 (more reliable results in much shorter testing times). The comparative assessment will allow to identify the weaknesses of specific module architectures and bill-of-material approaches at a very early stage (few weeks) of the development phase. Based on these results, it will be possible to summarise the possibilities of using new designs and materials to increase the system´s resilience to extreme stress conditions.
Network	Solar Cofund 2
Call	Solar Cofund 2 Additional Joint Call 2021

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana	Coordinator	Switzerland
2	Österr. Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik	Partner	Austria
3	KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH	Partner	Austria