MATERIALS I TESTING
Material assurance
As solar heads towards a subsidy free market place there is a growing awareness of reliability and accuracy for manufacturers. Having the correct materials achieving the desired goals is paramount to module success and an awareness of the material along the entire value chain will become increasingly important. Solar International spoke to Zwick about how materials testing ensures quality in solar modules and components.
SOLAR ENERGY represents one of the fastest growing segments of the alternative energy markets. According to NPD Solar Buzz, world solar PV power capacity grew by a record 9,000 megawatts (MW) in the 1st quarter of 2014 and is expected to grow to over 50,000 MW by the end of 2015.
Solar cells or photovoltaic (PV) cells are electrical components that convert the radiant energy contained in sunlight directly into electrical energy. The drive to continually increase the performance of solar components while reducing costs has established the need for quality assurance testing.
Solar components are divided among several principal types based on materials used and manufacturing techniques, including thick film, thin film and organic. Thick film solar cells are comprised of mono-crystalline or poly-crystalline silicon.
Thin film solar cells incorporate similar crystalline silicon wafers and layers of gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride or copper indium-sulfur-selenium compounds. Organic solar cells are made using plastics and organic molecules that have semiconducting properties. The plastic used in organic solar cells has low production costs in high volumes.
The testing requirements for different types of solar cells may differ considerably based on the type of solar cell. Different technologies often result in fundamentally different designs and testing methodologies.
Solar cells are usually embedded in an EVA film in order to isolate them electrically. Protection from the elements is provided by a glass plate on the front and a Tedlar film on the back. Electrical connections are made with soldered joints. An aluminum frame combines the individual components into a solar module and provides attachment points for mounting.
“A complete suite of tests on solar modules typically includes tests on the wafers, glass, frame, film, solder joints and junction boxes,” said Matthias Volz, Solar Industry Manager for Zwick/Roell, a supplier of materials testing equipment and software.
R&D Testing
During research and development it is necessary to fully characterize the mechanical and climatic properties of the materials as well as the electro-physical properties of the cells.
A safety enclosure cabinet protects lab personnel and maintains the integrity of the testing space
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www.solar-international.net I Issue V 2014
The primary goals of testing include increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and reducing the volume of material required to produce them. Materials must also be tested to assure durability and suitability of the materials
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