Development and Investigation of Lightweight Photovoltaics Modules Using Multi-Wire Interconnection Technology against Thermo-mechanical Load towards Vehicle-integrated Photovoltaics Applications

Abstract

Various lightweight photovoltaics (PV) modules have been developed in recent years with adaptations to reach the increasing demands of integrated photovoltaics, such as building-or vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (B-/VIPV). However, the reliability of such a module is rarely explored, which could hinder the commercialization of lightweight PV modules in integrated PV applications. In this report, we develop lightweight PV modules using a novel multi-wire interconnection technology with a glass-fiber reinforced carrier foil. Next, we investigate the reliability of lightweight modules under thermal cycling (based on IEC 61215:2021) compared to the glass-glass structure. We show that the foil direction can greatly influence thermo-mechanical reliability due to oriented glass fibers. Microcracks in the solder joint level are detected after the aging test. Efforts to use numerical modeling to understand failure mechanisms will be provided at the conference.