Photovoltaic Modules: Technology and Reliability provides unique insights into concepts, material design strategies, manufacturing techniques, quality and service life analysis of wafer-based photovoltaic modules. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the authors focus on two main topics. Part I - Crystalline Silicone Module Technology offers photovoltaics fundamentals: solar cell properties, module design, materials and production, basic module characterization, module power as well as efficiency and module performance. Part II, on the other hand, illustrates the state-of-the-art of module reliability by characterization of modules and degradation effects, examination of PV-Module loads, accelerated aging tests as well as reliability testing of materials and modules. A separate chapter is dedicated to PV module and component certification.

Harry Wirth, Karl-Anders Weiß and Cornelia Wiesmeier, Fraunhofer ISE, Freiburg, Germany.

From the Contents:

- Fundamentals
- History of PV modules
- Buildup and specifications
- Solar cells properties
- Types of solar cells
- Properties
- Electrical properties
- Mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties
- Interconnection
- Materials (ribbons/wires, JB)
- Processes
- Industrial Tools
- Encapsulation
- Materials (glass, encapsulants, backsheets)
- Processes
- Industrial Tools
- Module characterisation and QA
- Flasher measurement
- Peel, Gel content
- Module efficiency
- Electrical models
- Optical models
- Cell-to-Module efficiency
- Module yield
- Yield models
- Module performance ratio
- Reliability
- Module and component testing
- Climatic loads in module operation
- Module failures in the field
- Accelerated testing
- Module and component certification
- IEC 61215, 61730