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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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9 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Chapter 9: Reliability

This chapter describes the accumulated knowledge on CPV reliability with its fundamentals and qualification. It explains the reliability of solar cells, modules (including optics) and plants. The chapter discusses the statistical distributions, namely exponential, normal and Weibull. The reliability of solar cells includes: namely the issues in accelerated aging tests in CPV solar cells, types of failure and failures in real time operation. The chapter explores the accelerated life tests, namely qualitative life tests (mainly HALT) and quantitative accelerated life tests (QALT). It examines other well proven and experienced PV cells and/or semiconductor devices, which share similar semiconductor materials, manufacturing techniques or operating conditions, namely, III-V space solar cells and light emitting diodes (LEDs). It addresses each of the identified reliability issues and presents the current state of the art knowledge for their testing and evaluation. Finally, the chapter summarizes the CPV qualification and reliability standards.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Coupled Thermo-Mechanical and Photo-Chemical Degradation Mechanisms that determine the Reliability and Operational Lifetimes for CPV Technologies

This project sought to identify and characterize the coupled intrinsic photo-chemo-mechanical degradation mechanisms that determine the reliability and operational lifetimes for CPV technologies. Over a three year period, we have completed a highly successful program which has developed quantitative metrologies and detailed physics-based degradation models, providing new insight into the fundamental reliability physics necessary for improving materials, creating accelerated testing protocols, and producing more accurate lifetime predictions. The tasks for the program were separated into two focus areas shown in the figure below. Focus Area 1, led by Reinhold Dauskardt and Warren Cai with a primary collaboration with David Miller of NREL, studied the degradation mechanisms present in encapsulant materials. Focus Area 2, led by Reinhold Dauskardt and Ryan Brock with a primary collaboration with James Ermer and Peter Hebert of Spectrolab, studied stress development and degradation within internal CPV device interfaces. Each focus area was productive, leading to several publications, including findings on the degradation of silicone encapsulant under terrestrial UV, a model for photodegradation of silicone encapsulant adhesion, quantification and process tuning of antireflective layers on CPV, and discovery of a thermal cycling degradation mechanism present in metal gridline structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Degradation of Silicone Encapsulants in CPV Optics

High efficiency multijunction solar cells in terrestrial concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules are becoming an increasingly cost effective and viable option in utility scale power generation. As with other utility scale photovoltaics, CPV modules need to guarantee operational lifetimes of at least 25 years. The reliability of optical elements in CPV modules poses a unique materials challenge due to the increased UV irradiance and enhanced temperature cycling associated with concentrated solar flux. The polymeric and thin film materials used in the optical elements are especially susceptible to UV damage, diurnal temperature cycling and active chemical species from the environment. We used fracture mechanics approaches to study the degradation modes including: the adhesion between the encapsulant and the cell or secondary optical element; and the cohesion of the encapsulant itself. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of materials degradation under elevated stress conditions is critical for commercialization of CPV technology and can offer unique insights into degradation modes in similar encapsulants used in other photovoltaic modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Degradation of Silicone Encapsulants in CPV Optics: Preprint

High efficiency multijunction solar cells in terrestrial concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules are becoming an increasingly cost effective and viable option in utility scale power generation. As with other utility scale photovoltaics, CPV modules need to guarantee operational lifetimes of at least 25 years. The reliability of optical elements in CPV modules poses a unique materials challenge due to the increased UV irradiance and enhanced temperature cycling associated with concentrated solar flux. The polymeric and thin film materials used in the optical elements are especially susceptible to UV damage, diurnal temperature cycling and active chemical species from the environment. We used fracture mechanics approaches to study the degradation modes including: the adhesion between the encapsulant and the cell or secondary optical element; and the cohesion of the encapsulant itself. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of materials degradation under elevated stress conditions is critical for commercialization of CPV technology and can offer unique insights into degradation modes in similar encapsulants used in other photovoltaic modules.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

An end of service life assessment of PMMA lenses from veteran concentrator photovoltaic systems

The optical performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) lenses from veteran concentrator photovoltaic modules was examined after the end of their service life. Lenses from the Martin-Marietta and Intersol module designs were examined from the 'Solar Village' site near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, followed by the Arizona Public Service Solar Test and Research (APS-STaR) center in Tempe, Arizona. The various lens specimens were deployed for 20, 27, and 22 years, respectively. Optical characterizations included lens efficiency (Solar Simulator instrument), material transmittance and haze (of coupons cut from veteran lenses, then measured again after their faceted back surface was polished, and then measured again after the incident front surface was polished), and direct transmittance (as a function of detector's acceptance angle, using the Very Low Angular Beam Spread ('VLABS') instrument). Lens efficiency measurements compared the central region to the entire lens, also using hot and cold mirror measurements to diagnose differences in performance. A series of subsequent characterizations was performed because a decrease in performance of greater than 10% was observed for some of the veteran lenses. The optimal focal distance of the lenses was quantified using the Solar Simulator, and then correlated to lens curvature using a recently developed measurement technique. Surface roughness was examined using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Facet geometry (tip and valley radius) was quantified on cross-sectioned specimens. As a result, molecular weight was compared between the incident and faceted surfaces of the lenses.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Project Accomplishments Summary - SC12/01790.00. Concentrating Photovoltaics Component and System Research

Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) and Cool Earth Solar, Inc. (CES) collaborated to evaluate and validate a new Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) technology for the utility-scale power market. Project goals included demonstration of CES's tracking and energy production mechanism and operation in a realworld configuration to validate and evaluate mechanical reliability, uptime, operations and maintenance, and energy production models. The test facility was located at Sandia California’s Livermore Valley Open Campus (LVOC). The collaboration allowed CES to quickly move from design concept to system prototype deployment in an operational environment, with approximately 17kW of engineering samples deployed. However, economic pressure from inexpensive flat panel photovoltaic modules caused a major contraction in the broader CPV market. CES was ultimately unable to overcome this economic pressure and discontinued efforts to develop their novel CPV product.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Advanced Cooling Device for Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) have the potential to significantly enhance the energy conversion utilization of solar panels and reduce solar generation costs, making them a crucial area of advancement in solar power generation technology. However, the concentration of sunlight can lead to overheating of solar panels, resulting in a notable reduction in both the efficiency of solar power generation and the lifespan of the panels. This challenge remains the predominant technical hurdle that hinders the application of concentrated photovoltaic power generation technology. In this study, we propose a new cooling method for concentrated photovoltaic power generation systems via an integrated approach of incorporating Phase-Change Thermal Storage (PCTS) and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) technology. This new method not only enhances the overall system's electricity generation efficiency but also effectively resolves the technical challenge of concentrated photovoltaic panel overheating issues, ensuring the continuity of concentrated photovoltaic power generation and extending the lifespan of solar panels and their components. In order to make full use of the wasted heat generated by photovoltaic power generation and effectively improve the power generation efficiency of the system, this work developed a phase change heat storage device based on a phase change material. This device uses the temperature difference between day and night to recover wasted heat from photovoltaic power generation. Through integration with the thermoelectric power generation system, thermal energy can be converted into electrical energy. In addition, the Peltier effect of thermoelectric materials is used to construct a photovoltaic panel overheating protection system, which significantly improves the reliability and service life of the system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

An Advanced Cooling Device for Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems

Concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) have the potential to significantly enhance the energy conversion utilization of solar panels and reduce solar generation costs, making them a crucial area of advancement in solar power generation technology. However, the concentration of sunlight can lead to overheating of solar panels, resulting in a notable reduction in both the efficiency of solar power generation and the lifespan of the panels. This challenge remains the predominant technical hurdle that hinders the application of concentrated photovoltaic power generation technology. In this study, we propose a new cooling method for concentrated photovoltaic power generation systems via an integrated approach of incorporating Phase-Change Thermal Storage (PCTS) and Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) technology. This new method not only enhances the overall system's electricity generation efficiency but also effectively resolves the technical challenge of concentrated photovoltaic panel overheating issues, ensuring the continuity of concentrated photovoltaic power generation and extending the lifespan of solar panels and their components. In order to make full use of the wasted heat generated by photovoltaic power generation and effectively improve the power generation efficiency of the system, this work developed a phase change heat storage device based on a phase change material. This device uses the temperature difference between day and night to recover wasted heat from photovoltaic power generation. Through integration with the thermoelectric power generation system, thermal energy can be converted into electrical energy. In addition, the Peltier effect of thermoelectric materials is used to construct a photovoltaic panel overheating protection system, which significantly improves the reliability and service life of the system.

Gou, Yimeng↗