Solar panel quality issues: an introduction to micro cracks
Micro cracks in solar cells pose a frequent and complicated challenge for manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) modules. While on the one hand it is difficult to assess in detail their impact on the overall efficiency and longevity of a solar panel, they are one of the main sources of malfunctioning or even inactive cells. However, micro cracks are nearly impossible to avoid and – in the long-run –will affect most solar panels, including ‘high quality’ ones. They are triggered by mechanical and chemical natural factors stressing the panel operating in field, such as hail, snow, sun, wind and severe cold. Further stress factors are geared to the thermal cycles of the cells involving contracting, expanding and flexing metal contacts, solder and wire interconnects.
Even though they are nearly impossible to avoid in the long-run, their potential impacts pose quite a serious issue that should be addressed as early as possible – a requirement that is only insufficiently met during quality control at many manufacturers.
Micro cracks may have various defect origins and result in rather “soft” outcomes such as yield-reducing shattering of parts of the affected cell up to mores severe impacts involving decreases of the short circuit current and cell efficiency. Often, they are a result of mechanical forces or thermal stress. In the production process, micro cracks most frequently occur during lamination of the panel, especially when using certain EVA films with weak moisture impermeability. If in such cases even slight moisture occurs it cannot easily evaporate which is particularly problematic in hot areas and environments. The moisture may in such cases pass through the micro cracks on the front of the laminate, followed by the oxidization of the contact fingers.
Micro crack in a mono-crystalline solar (pv) module
Micro cracks can also occur during manual soldering when varying thermal expansions of the copper and the silicon elements develop at temperatures above 300°C. Those temperature differentials can lead to the formation of micro cracks in the substrate and thus result in higher cell resistance.
Cracks potentially grow over a longer operational time and thus extend their malicious impact on the functionality and performance of a pv module, potentially triggering hot spots as well. Undetected, micro-cracks can result in a less than expected field lifespan. They differ in size, location on the cell and impact quality.
There are different quality testing methods to identify micro cracks of which electroluminescence (EL) testing is one of the most applied method. EL testing can detect hidden defects that were before untraceable by other testing methods, such as IR imaging with thermal cameras, V-A characteristic and flash testing. It is an imaging measurement process allowing to peer directly into the cells of a pv module and locate potential inherent defects.
EL test - defect cells
Optimally, EL testing is performed once before the lamination process so that the defect solar cells can be replaced and then again after (careful) lamination. This procedure costs time and manpower which not all pv manufacturers are willing to invest in the quality of their produced solar panels.
Visually, micro-cracks may appear in form of so called snail trails on the cell structure. However, snail trails – as a long-term impact sign – can also be the result of chemical process causing the surface of the cell to change and/ or hot spots. Therefore, visual checking of pv modules alone is not an effective method to identify micro-cracks and should not replace a thorough electroluminescence check.
Solar panel (PV) quality inspections
Are you purchasing solar panels in China? At Kisun Solar Consultancy Services we perform independent quality inspections at manufacturers of solar pv modules as well as inverters and mounting structures in China and their overseas warehouses.
Advantages:
- Replace defects prior to shipment
- Independent and confidential testing report
- 100% certainty about product quality and performance
- International testing crew specialized in solar (PV) technology
Useful references:
a) http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/12/minimizing-micro-cracks-in-solar-cell-interconnection-during-manual-soldering
b) http://idealpv.com/ESW/Files/Solar_Cell_Microcracks_Are_Inevitable_And_idealPV_
FOZHS_Makes_Them_Irrelevant_120323c.pdf
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