Design of PV modules including a layer between solar cells and glass cover to increase PV module lifetime

Abstract

The current design of solar cell modules (PV modules) makes solar cells completely attached to the coat of the glass, which means that the damage of the glass envelope leads to the replacement of the module completely. This means that the solar cells are lost even though they are intact and not damaged. This research suggests that these modules should be used even after the glass has been damaged.

This work studies the effect of introducing air layer between solar cells and the tempered glass of the PV module, such layer enables one to replace only the tempered glass in case of its damage instead of replacing the PV module totally. Thus the cost of replacement of PV modules at the end of its lifetime is drastically reduced. As a result significant reduction in PV systems cost may be achieved.