The Performance of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Modules after 22 Years of Continuous Outdoor Exposure

Abstract

The predicted or expected lifetime of a Photovoltaic module is one of the four factors, which define the costs of Photovoltaic Solar Electricity. Extensive effort has been made for more than 20 years to define, predict and assure the lifetime of Photovoltaic solar modules from the manufacturers, the research laboratories and international standards bodies. The effort to assure the lifetime and quality of PV Modules has resulted in the introduction by the International Electrochemical Commission of accelerated test procedures termed <Type Approval Tests>. These test procedures seek to assure based on accelerated climatic testing that Photovoltaic modules, which successfully pass these tests, would reasonably be expected to survive for 20 years in field operation.