A Literature Review and Analysis on Accelerated Lifetime Testing of PV Modules
This report provides a literature review and associated analysis of photovoltaic (PV) field failures, degradation mechanisms and statistics, and available accelerated testing (AT) methodologies.
Note: This report, and the related explanatory text below, were originally published in 2013. It is provided here as a reference document that may provide helpful historical context on how this issue was considered at that time. Please be aware that it may not be reflective of current best practices in this area.
This report provides a literature review and associated analysis of photovoltaic (PV) field failures, degradation mechanisms and statistics, and available accelerated testing (AT) methodologies. To generate this report, the authors collected and systematically analyzed the major sources of literature on PV module reliability and durability. The report covers:
- the difference between reliability and durability;
- common failure and degradation modes and mechanisms of PV modules;
- accelerated stress types (including potential induced degradation), levels, and prioritization;
- pitfalls in preparing representative sample designs for accelerated stress testing;
- existing and planned (potential) accelerated comparative and lifetime testing programs;
- key attributes of accelerated comparative and lifetime testing programs;
- considerations for designing and developing new accelerated comparative and lifetime testing programs;
- discussion of a possible approach for a PV rating system; and
- physical and statistical models for lifetime prediction using black-box and white-box approaches based on field degradation data and accelerated test data.
