Title:	Thermo-Mechanical Analysis of Si-based PV Modules and Experimental Validation with In-laminate Sensing Technology
Author(s):	M. Casasola Paesa, B. Luo, P. Nivelle, T. Borgers, J. Govaerts, R. Van Dyck, L. Tous, H. Sivaramakrishnan Radhakrishnan, J. Poortmans, M. Daenen
Keywords:	Simulation, PV Module, Modelling
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	Materials for PV Modules, Durability, Reliability and Accelerated Testing Methods
Event:	8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
Session:	3DV.3.25
ISBN:	3-936338-86-8
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	poster

Abstract/Summary:

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This study comprises the cooling-down stage of the lamination process and a thermal cycling test of a PV mini-module. Thermo-mechanical simulations are performed on the 2x2-cell, glass-glass module to analyse the stresses within the laminate during the mentioned manufacturing process and accelerated testing. A combination of material properties measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and literature values are inputs for these simulations. Linear elastic material models are used and, for the encapsulant, the temperature-dependent modulus of elasticity is considered. Finally, the Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation results are validated through experimental work using an in-laminate sensing technology consisting of Fiber Bragg Grating sensors.