Degradation of PV modules,

inverters, components and

systems
Dunlop E.D., Gracia Amillo A., Salis E., Sample T., Taylor N.
JRC C.2 Energy Efficiency and Renewables Unit
Directorate C Energy, Transport and Climate
The European Commission’s
science and knowledge service
Joint Research Centre

DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSITIONAL METHODS: PV expert meeting,

Ispra, October 31st 2018
OUTLINE
 Purpose
 PV modules
 BIPV as a special case  Baseline
 Inverters  Definition
 PV systems  Possible approach(es)
 BIPV as a special case

 PV systems
 Suggested inputs to the PV preparatory study

2
PURPOSE
Transitional method for definition and evaluation of degradation of
photovoltaic (PV) modules, inverters, other components and PV
systems.
 To establish a definition of the degradation rate for solar PV modules,
inverters and PV systems that will be included in the preparatory
study on Ecodesign and Energy-labelling.
 To establish one (or more equivalent) method(s) to enable
quantitative evaluation of the degradation of PV modules, inverters,
components and PV systems.

3
Degradation versus failure
 Degradation Decrease in the power or energy generation of a PV
product compared to the initial value and under the
same conditions (e.g. STC)
 Failure Termination of the ability of the PV product to
deliver electrical energy and/or event that creates
safety issues
Replacement is assumed to be due to a failure
Limiting event any event for which the PV product loses its
ability to perform as required (e.g. in EN 4555x)
Technical Failure
Degradation without failure (e.g.
Owner decision
discoloration)
…
4
 PV Modules

5
Available baseline (not exhaustive)
1. First-hand experience
• Skoczek A, Sample T and Dunlop E. 2004 The results of performance measurements of
field‐aged crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl. 17 227‐240

2. Scientific peer reviews on very differentiated world-wide installations

• Jordan Dirk C et al. 2017 Photovoltaic failure and degradation modes Prog. Photovoltaics
Res. Appl. 25 318-26
• Jordan Dirk C et al. 2016 Compendium of photovoltaic degradation rates Prog.
Photovoltaics Res. Appl. 24 978-89
• Kurtz S et al. 2017 Qualification Testing versus Quantitative Reliability Testing of PV –
Gaining Confidence in a Rapidly Changing Technology. In: 33rd European Photovoltaic
Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, (Amsterdam) pp 1302 - 11

3. IEA PVPS Task 12 and 13 reports

4. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) document for PV products

6
Possible approaches: PV modules (1)
1. Prescribed values
• c-Si: 0.5% - 0.6% per year (median value), 0.8% - 0.9% per year (mean value)

• thin-film (including μc-Si) and HIT: 1 %/year

• Failure rates: 0.1 %/year for c-Si, not available for thin-film PV (Jordan et al. 2017)

2. Measurements
• Accelerated tests not universally considered a good replica of actual behaviour
under real conditions
 at least 5 years of measurements
• Measurements from the field
 several distinct geographic and climatic regions
 independent assessment by ISO/IEC 17025
accredited laboratories
• For completely new technologies this might be not enough

7
Quality and degradation: EN 61215
Standard Subject covered
Design qualification and type approval - Part 1: Test
EN 61215-1
requirements
Design qualification and type approval - Part 2: Test
EN 61215-2
procedures

EN 61215-1-1 to -4 Specific requirement for each PV technology

Specific tests covered:

− Thermal cycle test, with temperature and electrical current as stressors;
− Damp heat test, combination of effects due to temperature and humidity;
− Humidity freeze test, on sealing materials and components;
− UV test, for polymeric components;
− Static mechanical load test simulates loads such as those by constant wind or
homogeneous snow accumulation;
− Hot spot test linked to partial shading on modules;
− Hail test.
8
 Quality and degradation: accelerated tests
Standard Subject covered
EN 61701 Salt spray testing, mainly of connectors
EN 62716 Ammonia corrosion testing
EN 62782 Load variations on the PV module surface compared to EN 61215
IEC TS 62804-1 Detection of potential-induced degradation (PID)
IEC TS 62804-1-1 (draft) Delamination due to PID
IEC TS 62804-2 (draft) Detection of PID in thin-film PV modules
IEC 62852 Safety requirements and tests for connectors of PV
IEC 62916 Test of susceptibility of by-pass diodes to electrostatic discharges

IEC 62979 Thermal runaway test of by-pass diodes, component of the PV module for its own and
eventually the user safety

IEC 62938 (draft) Non-uniform snow load testing on inclined plane

IEC 63126 (early draft) Guidelines for qualifying PV modules, components and materials for operation at higher
temperatures
IEC TS 63140 (draft) Advanced testing of protection and performance measurement of thin-film PV modules
when exposed to partial-shading conditions

9
Possible approaches: PV modules (2)
3. Estimate method similar to what used in the building sector
• Not verified yet for PV

• Requires a collective reference database of verified field data under:

 several climatic conditions

 several in-use conditions

• Application of factor method based on estimated local conditions and their weight to
influence degradation

 Requires wide knowledge of the degradation paths of PV modules

 Requires detailed knowledge of the local and in-use conditions under which the PV
modules will be installed

Not suggested, unless significant active contribution from all

stakeholders in the creation of the database
10
 Inverters

11
Available baseline
1. IEA PVPS Task 12 and 13 reports
2. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) document

Definition of degradation for inverters

NOT clearly available. They are considered either working or not.

Possible approach
Collection of field data is considered relevant, with inclusion of
environmental conditions met by the inverter

12
 PV Systems

13
Available baseline (not exhaustive)
1. First-hand experience
• Skoczek A, Sample T and Dunlop E. 2004 The results of performance measurements of
field‐aged crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl. 17 227‐240

2. Scientific peer reviews on very differentiated world-wide installations

• Jordan Dirk C et al. 2017 Photovoltaic failure and degradation modes Prog. Photovoltaics
Res. Appl. 25 318-26
• Jordan Dirk C et al. 2016 Compendium of photovoltaic degradation rates Prog.
Photovoltaics Res. Appl. 24 978-89
• Kurtz S et al. 2017 Qualification Testing versus Quantitative Reliability Testing of PV –
Gaining Confidence in a Rapidly Changing Technology. In: 33rd European Photovoltaic
Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, (Amsterdam) pp 1302 - 11

3. IEA PVPS Task 12 and 13 reports

4. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) document for PV products

14
Possible approaches: PV systems (1)
1. Prescribed values
• c-Si: 0.5% - 0.6% per year (median value), 0.8% - 0.9% per year (mean value)

• thin-film (including μc-Si) and HIT: 1 %/year

• Failure rates: 0.1 %/year for c-Si, not available for thin-film PV (Jordan et al. 2017)

2. Measurements
• Not feasible a priori, i.e. for prediction (EN 61829 and IEC 61724-1 are only for monitoring
of already existing systems)

• The period of monitoring must provide sufficient resolution to establish the linearity of the
degradation

• For completely new technologies the suggested 3-year period might be not enough

15
Possible approaches: PV systems (2)
3. Estimate method similar to what used in the building sector
• Not verified yet for PV

• Requires a collective reference database of verified field data under:

 several climatic conditions

 several in-use conditions

• Application of factor method based on estimated local conditions and their weight to
influence degradation

 Requires wide knowledge of the degradation paths of PV modules

 Requires detailed knowledge of the local and in-use conditions under which the PV
modules will be installed

Not suggested, unless significant active contribution from all

stakeholders in the creation of the database
16
 BIPV
Modules and
Systems

17
Building Integrated PV Systems (BIPV)
Standard Notes
EN 50583-1 PV modules used as construction products

PV systems integrated into buildings (structural

EN 50583-2
aspects)

IEC 63092-1 (draft) Based on EN 50583-1

IEC 63092-2 (draft) Based on EN 50583-2

ISO 52000-1 and other parts Energy Performance of Buildings

Method for calculation of system energy

EN 15316-4-3
requirements and system efficiencies

prEN 50331-1 (draft) Safety requirements for PV in buildings

18
Possible approaches: BIPV (1)
1. Prescribed values
• Higher degradation rate than ground and open-rack mounted modules, still to be defined

• Failure rates: about 10 times the ground and open-rack mounted modules (Jordan et al.
2017)

2. Measurements
• Accelerated tests not universally considered a good replica of actual behaviour
under real conditions
Draft IEC TS 63126 Guidelines for qualifying PV modules,
components and materials for operation at higher temperatures

• Measurements from the field  at least 5 years of measurements

 several distinct geographic and climatic regions
 independent assessment by ISO/IEC 17025
accredited laboratories

19
Possible approaches: BIPV (2)
3. Estimate method similar to what used in the building sector
• Not verified yet for PV

• Requires a collective reference database of verified field data under:

 several climatic conditions

 several in-use conditions

• Application of factor method based on estimated local conditions and their weight to
influence degradation

 Requires wide knowledge of the degradation paths of PV modules

 Requires detailed knowledge of the local and in-use conditions under which the PV
modules will be installed

Not suggested, unless significant active contribution from all

stakeholders in the creation of the database
20
Suggestions to the PV preparatory study
Prescribed values approach:
o PV modules:

• c-Si: between 0.5% and 0.6% per year (if median value), between 0.8% and 0.9% per
year (if mean value) in a linear degradation assumption

• Thin-film (including μc-Si) and HIT: 1 %/year in a linear degradation assumption

o Inverters: no degradation, only a failure rate corresponding to 1 - 2 replacements in the

expected overall life span of the PV system

o PV systems:

• c-Si: between 0.5% and 0.6% per year (if median value), between 0.8% and 0.9% per year (if mean
value) in a linear degradation assumption

• Thin-film (including μc-Si) and HIT: 1 %/year in a linear degradation assumption

21
Stay in touch

•EU Science Hub: ec.europa.eu/jrc

•Twitter: @EU_ScienceHub

•Facebook: EU Science Hub - Joint Research Centre

•LinkedIn: Joint Research Centre

•YouTube: EU Science Hub

22
PV Modules
Functional parameter Standards
EN 61853-1, EN 61853-2,
Module Energy Yield DC
IEC 61853-3, IEC 61853-4
Module Performance Ratio EN 61853-1, EN 61853-2,
(MPR) IEC 61853-3, IEC 61853-4
Maximum power at STC EN 60904-1
Module Energy Conversion
Possible next edition of IEC 60904-1 (under revision)
Efficiency
Module Degradation Rates Not defined by standards

Module Operational Life Not defined by standards

Proposal from preparatory study for Ecodesign:
1 kWh of DC power output under predefined climatic and installation conditions for 1 year and
assuming an intended service life of 25 years.

23
PV technologies

COMMERCIAL EMERGING NOVEL

Crystalline Thin-film Organic PV Organic PV

Silicon Perovskite PV

24
Power conversion equipments (PCEs)
Functional parameter Standards
Input range voltage, Grid range IEC 62894
voltage, Start-up voltage, MPP
voltage EN 50524 (withdrawn at present)

Inverter efficiency IEC 61683

EN 50530 (withdrawn at present, new work item

Inverter "European efficiency"
considered at CENELEC)

Proposal from preparatory study for Ecodesign:

1 kWh of AC power output from a specified inverter installed as part of a reference

photovoltaic system under predefined climatic and installation conditions for 1 year
and assuming a service life of 10 years.

25
PV Systems
Functional parameter Standards
System Maximum power at Not existing, but it can be based on EN 60904-1,
STC EN 61829
System Energy output Not existing
System Energy Yield Not existing
System Performance Ratio EN 61724-1 (generic definition, not sufficient as it
(PR) needs final Energy Yield as input)

System Efficiency Not existing

Proposal from preparatory study for Ecodesign:

1 kWh of AC power output supplied under fixed climatic conditions for 1 year
(with reference to IEC 61853-4) and assuming a service life of 25 years.

Transitional methods
26