1、Technoeconomic and finite element analyses of robust PV module designs to mitigate glass failureJen Braid,Norman Jost,James Hartley,Michael Shimizu,Steven DiGregorio,Cliff HansenSandia National Laboratories2025 PV ModuleTech USA,Napa,CA 18 June 2025Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission labo
2、ratory managed and operated by National Technology&Engineering Solutions of Sandia,LLC,a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc.,for the U.S.Department of Energys National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.jlbraidsandia.gov|2PV module glass is breaking at an
3、 alarming ratejlbraidsandia.gov|3Why are PV modules breaking?Mechanical load imposes stress on an object exceeding its fracture strengthMechanical load&stress on glass are increasingFracture strength of glass is decreasingWhat is driving these changes?Costs of changes to the module or racking to mit
4、igate breakage costs incurred by module breakagePalmiotti,Elizabeth C.,et al.Growing Panes:Investigating the PV Technology Trends Behind Frequent Early Failures in Modern GlassGlass Modules.IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics(2025).jlbraidsandia.gov|4DOE PV System Cost Benchmarkjlbraidsandia.gov|5How much
5、 do module mechanical failures cost?Some utility-scale PV plants are reporting up to 10%spontaneous glass breakageCosts for replacement of broken PV modules include:Inspection and location of broken modules Replacement module cost Mechanical and electrical labor costs0246810120123456789 10 11 12 13
6、14 15Replacement Cost as%Original System CAPEX%Module ReplacementMinimum Sustainable Price(MSP)Modeled Market Price(MMP)jlbraidsandia.gov|6Possible solutions to PV mechanical reliability Smaller modules Thicker glass Glass/backsheet Thicker framePalmiotti,Elizabeth C.,et al.Growing Panes:Investigati