Reliability of photovoltaic modules based on climatic measurement data

University of Angers, LASQUO Laboratory, France

^* Correspondence: remi.laronde@univ-angers.fr
^** Correspondence: abderafi.charki@univ-angers.fr
^*** Correspondence: david.bigaud@univ-angers.fr

Received: 15 January 2010
Accepted: 5 March 2010

Abstract

In the building domain, components or equipment are often subjected to severe environmental conditions. In order to predict the reliability and the life-time of such equipment, accelerated life testing can be carried out. Severe conditions are applied to accelerate the ageing of the components and the reliability at nominal conditions is then deduced considering that these nominal conditions are not constant but stochastic. In this paper, the accelerated life testing of photovoltaic modules is carried out at severe module temperature levels. The module power losses are monitored and the limit state is determined when a threshold power is reached. The stochastic data and the reliability are simulated during a period of twenty years. Finally, the life time of the component is evaluated.