Solar Panel (Solar Panel) Tests

Semiconductors created for solar panels are what generate electricity: when they interact with sunlight, the electrons in this material are released. This process is called the photovoltaic effect, and this is how solar panels work to generate power. But solar cells cannot provide power without other operational components, including glass, plastic, metal and cables. Solar panels are generally coated with a layer of glass and an anti-reflective coating to protect the sensitive silicon solar cells while allowing light to pass through. The entire panel is supported by a plastic/polymer frame for installation.

As a result, it is important to test the solar panels as a whole against environmental heat, humidity, cold, aging, power, efficiency, potential induced degradation (PID), mechanical loading, performance and impact.

Companies that manufacture solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and panels strive to increase product efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness. To this end, necessary tests must be carried out to ensure that products can withstand the environments they are likely to encounter throughout their lifetime.

The primary purpose of testing photovoltaic products is to increase the durability, longevity and performance of photovoltaic modules and solar panels. When these products are put into service, they are exposed to scorching heat, sub-zero freezing temperatures and extremely high humidity. These outdoor conditions can vary over the life of a product and are the reason why they trigger many of the most common failure mechanisms.

Potential induced degradation (PID) is a potential induced performance degradation caused by stray currents in crystalline photovoltaic modules. This effect can cause power losses of up to 30 percent.

As many photovoltaic power systems being installed are designed to produce electricity for 25 years or more, preventing shock and fire hazards becomes a critical issue with proper grounding, high electrical output and extended use. Such tests are carried out in environmental test chambers. In these tests, the effects of current loop, mounting force and anti-oxidation coating application on grounding reliability are determined.

Accurate determination of photovoltaic (PV) module performance requires precise measurement of a module's electrical properties to identify faults before they occur. Advanced testing laboratories provide product services for performance verification in a variety of climates and conditions. Major testing services for development, pre-production and production phases include:

• Angle of incidence modifier (IAM) test. When the array surface is not completely amenable to the rays from the sun, some energy is lost due to reflection from the module surface materials.
• Potential induced disturbance (PID) testing. It is a phenomenon that occurs over time. It causes significant power losses in advanced stages.
• Slight and high temperature induced distortion. Crystalline silicon is a degradation mode of PV cells.
• Dynamic mechanical loading test. This test is one of the tests to check the reliability of the produced solar modules and to ensure that they can withstand different forces and weather conditions.
• Salt fog and corrosion test. Salt-laden moisture and rain conditions adversely affect key module components, including frames, junction boxes, and glass surfaces, potentially reducing a module's performance and lifetime.
• Dust and abrasion test. The accumulation of dirt or particles such as dust, water, sand and algae on the surface of the solar photovoltaic panel prevents the light energy from reaching the solar cells.
• Accelerated lifetime testing. This test basically includes: temperature cycling, moist heat exposure, ultraviolet light exposure and hot freeze cycle.

Solar panel (solar panel) tests are among the numerous tests, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies given to businesses by our organization.