You own a Photovoltaic investment, now what do you do?
All PV systems do require maintenance – you can find a section called maintenance in your PV panel installation guide and in your inverter guides. These are not new sections of the standard guides and kits. They have been there since I got involved in the PV industry in 2006. You want to keep your systems efficiency as high as they are supposed to be, and that does not happen by just leaving them alone.
Maintenance plans for your PV system range from basic to the more advanced are as follows:
What is involved in a PV maintenance plan?
1 – Monitoring
2 – System Visual Inspection
3 – System Cleaning
4 – System Testing
5 – Thermal Imaging
You want to keep records of all work done!
This is directly off of my Maintenance power point presentation
SEE LINKED PPT BELOW: This has a lot of the maintenance items in it for your reference.
Microcracks
Microcracks in solar panels are tiny fractures that can develop in the photovoltaic cells or protective layers, potentially leading to reduced power output, shorter lifespan, and even complete failure of the panel.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
What are Microcracks?
- Microcracks are minuscule fractures, often invisible to the naked eye, that can form within the solar cell material or the protective layers of a solar panel.
- They are a common issue in crystalline silicon solar panels due to the inherent brittleness of the silicon wafers.
- Even small imperfections in the silicon cell can lead to larger cracking in the future.
Causes of Microcracks:
- Manufacturing Defects:
Poor quality raw materials, defective processes, or incorrect handling during production can lead to microcracks. - Mechanical Stress:
Stress from transportation, installation, or external environmental factors like wind, snow, or hail can cause microcracks to form or grow. - Thermal Stress:
Rapid temperature changes (thermal cycling) can cause the solar panel to expand and contract, leading to cracking in the materials.. - Freezing and Humidity:
Freezing temperatures and high humidity can also contribute to microcrack formations.
Consequences of Microcracks:
- Reduced Power Output:
Microcracks can create electrical separations within the solar cells, leading to inactive areas and reduced power generation. - Decreased Lifespan:
Microcracks can weaken the solar panel and accelerate its degradation, leading to a shorter lifespan. - Hot Spots:
Microcracks can create hot spots, where the internal resistance of the damaged cell increases, causing the cell to overheat and potentially leading to further damage. - Warranty Issues:
Microcracks can be a source of disputes with solar panel warranties, as they can be difficult to detect and assess.
Detection and Prevention:
- Electroluminescence (EL) Imaging:
EL imaging can be used to identify microcracks by detecting light emitted from the solar panel when an electric current is applied. - Infrared Thermography:
Infrared thermography can detect temperature differences caused by microcracks, which can indicate areas of reduced efficiency. - Visual Inspection and Microscopic Examination:
Careful visual inspection and microscopic examination can help identify microcracks, especially in areas where they are more likely to occur.
Preventative Measures
- Quality Control: Strict quality control measures during manufacturing can help reduce the incidence of microcracks.
- Proper Handling and Transportation: Careful handling and transportation of solar panels can minimize the risk of mechanical stress-induced microcracks.
- Structural Strengthening: Strengthening the solar cells and modules can help them withstand environmental stresses.
This is a great video from NREL talking about walking on panels and microcracks
