Development of PV Module Hot Desert Test Cycle Protocol Extended Failure Modes and Effective Analysis

More and more GW-scale PV power plants are being installed in the hot desert regions of the world. The large space, high irradiance, and low maintenance can achieve the low cost (OPEX and CAPEX). However, high temperatures, strong temperature fluctuations, and UV radiation can lead to the PV module's performance loss. The aim of the work is to develop an accelerated aging test standard protocol for the selection of PV modules for desert application. Accelerated test procedures for the reproduction of typical failures in the hot desert will be proposed and verified. To avoid different regulations in different countries, it is planned to develop an internationally recognized standard that complements the existing PV standards. This study presents measured degradation rates alongside a Failure Mode and Effectiveness Analysis (FMEA), including an assessment of Desert Future Risk Priority Numbers (DF-RPN) as evaluated by international global PV experts. The average degradation rate across all desert locations is approximately 1.63% per year. The top three failure modes with the highest DF-RPN are UV-induced degradation (UVID), interconnect or finger breakage, and light- and elevated temperature-induced degradation (LETID). These failure modes, which primarily affect solar cells, are triggered by environmental factors such as UV irradiation, thermomechanical stress, and light exposure at elevated temperatures. To address these issues, a hot desert testing cycle (HDTC) has been proposed, incorporating increased UV exposure, thermal cycling, and LETID testing. Additionally, the HDTC includes assessments for mechanical load, sand abrasion, and exposure to extreme temperature variations to better simulate harsh desert conditions. This comprehensive test cycle is designed to mitigate the effects of UV irradiation, thermomechanical stress, and high temperatures in desert environments. The HDTC protocol is intended for both, present and future PV module technologies used in power plants.