Failure analysis of module design qualification testing - III: 1997-2005 vs. 2005-2007 vs. 2007-2009

Qualification testing of photovoltaic modules is a set of well-defined accelerated stress tests with strict pass/fail criteria based on functionality / performance, safety / insulation and visual requirements. This paper, third in series from the Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory of ASU / TUV Rheinland PTL, compares the overall failure rates obtained in three consecutive periods: 1997-2005, 2005- 2007 and 2007-2009. This paper also presents a distribution of failures, for the 2007-2009 period, among the four pass criteria defined in the standard: Visual failure (for example, extensive delamination), dry insulation failure (safety issue), wet resistance failure (safety issue) and performance failure (power drop). © 2010 IEEE.