The Renewable Vitality Take a look at Heart (RETC) raised the problem of ultraviolet-induced degradation within the trending know-how of its PV Module Index 2022.
From pv journal USA
Yearly, Fremont, California’s Renewable Vitality Take a look at Heart (RETC) releases its PV Module Index, monitoring the most recent traits in photo voltaic module high quality, efficiency, reliability, and rising applied sciences.
The most recent annual report, The PV Module Index 2022 opened with feedback concerning the rise of TOPCon photo voltaic modules, a know-how that’s more and more being adopted by main panel suppliers.
TOPCon was first demonstrated by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Photo voltaic Vitality Methods in 2013 and is now gaining market traction and acceptance.
The know-how consists of n-type PV cells with passivating contacts. The modules have robust floor passivation and efficient provider transport, each of which contribute to a secure open-circuit voltage and excessive effectivity. The transfer to TOPCon comes as p-type passive emitter and rear-contact cell (PERC) modules start to achieve their theoretical effectivity limits.
RETC says this effectivity enchancment makes TOPCon “photo voltaic’s busiest convention.”
The report notes that whereas Longi is “betting massive” on p-type TOPCon, many different main module firms, comparable to JinkoSolar, Jollywood, JA Photo voltaic and Trina Photo voltaic are making important investments in modules with n-type TOPCon cell designs.
“By larger open-circuit voltage values, you possibly can obtain larger effectivity and energy rankings. In and of itself, that can doubtless drive producers of n-type TOPCon cell designs, as quickly as they get there,” stated Kenneth Sauer, chief engineer, VDE Americas.
RETC says because of manufacturing complexities, high-efficiency n-type cells utilizing heterojunction know-how (HJT) and interdigitated again contact (IBC) cells are comparatively costly to supply and stay a distinct segment phase. out there. As compared, n-type TOPCon cell manufacturing is similar to the PERC manufacturing course of, which makes for a better transition from current manufacturing traces.
“Though present n-type TOPCon modules price much less to fabricate on a per-watt foundation than p-type mono PERC modules, the effectivity positive factors end in a decrease price stage of power (LCOE) in large-scale area deployment. Above all, main consultants anticipate n-type TOPCon to profit from a quick studying curve,” the report stated.
Nonetheless, as with all rising know-how, the report notes that the transfer in direction of TOPCon could include dangers. Whereas n-type TOPCon PV cells have been confirmed to be proof against light-induced degradation and lightweight and excessive temperature-induced degradation, some proof exists on the susceptibility to ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID), which might chip away at module longevity.
Researchers on the SLAC Nationwide Accelerator Laboratory and the Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL) have beforehand documented and again energy loss from these applied sciences. The information don’t level to a single mechanism of degradation however recommend that totally different cell designs degrade by means of totally different pathways, the report stated.
“We is not going to attempt to sound an alarm with out trigger,” stated Cherif Kedir, chief government officer of RETC. “We simply need to check the potential for UV injury to coach ourselves and the business. If there is no downside, we will all get on with our lives.”
Kedir recommends module producers conduct accelerated UVID testing as a part of a technical due diligence survey. If the cell’s passivation layers aren’t correctly oriented, they are often destroyed underneath this publicity. He recommends evaluating every new cell design on a case-by-case foundation.
“If there’s a downside, we are going to publish a report in order that the business can get in entrance of the problem,” he stated.
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