A multi-physics and multi-scale numerical approach to microcracking and power-loss in photovoltaic modules

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-physics, multi-scale computational method to analyze microcracking in silicon solar cells and its impact on power loss in photovoltaic modules, integrating structural and electrical modeling.

Contribution

It presents a novel coupled multi-scale finite element approach combining fracture mechanics and circuit models to study microcracking effects in PV modules.

Findings

Microcrack patterns influence electrical inactivity in PV cells.

The method effectively predicts microcrack orientation and distribution.

Cracking significantly affects the electric performance of PV modules.

Abstract

A multi-physics and multi-scale computational approach is proposed in the present work to study the evolution of microcracking in polycrystalline Silicon (Si) solar cells composing photovoltaic (PV) modules. Coupling between the elastic and the electric fields is provided according to an equivalent circuit model for the PV module where the electrically inactive area is determined from the analysis of the microcrack pattern. The structural scale of the PV laminate(the macro-model) is coupled to the scale of the polycrystals (the micro-model) using a multiscale nonlinear finite element approach where the macro-scale displacements of the Si cell borders are used as boundary conditions for the micro-model. Intergranular cracking in the Si cell is simulated using a nonlinear fracture mechanics cohesive zone model (CZM). A case-study shows the potentiality of the method, in particular as regards the analysis of the microcrack orientation and distribution, as well as of the effect of cracking on the electric characteristics of the PV module.