Published on June 2020 | Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Applications, Photovoltaic Modules

Long-Term Durability of Solar Photovoltaic Modules

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels experience long-term performance degradation resulting in lower like-per-like efficiencies and performance ratios when compared with their initial performance. Manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules usually guarantee the life span for more than 20 years. It is therefore necessary to track and mitigate degradation of PV modules over this period to satisfy such guarantees and beyond this period to identify maintenance and repair requirements. Degradation of solar PV modules makes them less efficient, less reliable and, ultimately, inoperative. This paper reviews relevant literature to discuss: Causes of efficiency reductions in photovoltaic cells Ways to achieve long-term durability of solar photovoltaic modules How viability of solar photovoltaic modules is affected by degradation The remedies to solar photovoltaic (PV) degradation