Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Robust glass-free lightweight photovoltaic modules with improved resistance to mechanical loads and impact
 
research article

Robust glass-free lightweight photovoltaic modules with improved resistance to mechanical loads and impact

Martins, Ana C
November 14, 2018
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

In several countries, building-integrated photovoltaics (PV) solutions could contribute to the growth of total installed PV capacity. However, in some circumstances, the relative high weight (10–15 kg/m2) and lack of aesthetics of PV may constitute a barrier to its diffusion. In this work, we propose a glass-free lightweight solution (6 kg/m2) compliant with hail and mechanical load tests as prescribed by the IEC 61215-2:2016. The low weight is achieved by substituting the conventional glass cover with a polymer multi-layer resistant to hail impacts and the conventional polymer/glass backsheet by an innovative composite backsheet. A total of two module design contributions to impact resistance are highlighted: a global energy dissipation, mostly related to the backsheet properties; and a local energy dissipation, mainly related to the frontsheet properties. These results clearly show that a balance between frontsheet design and backsheet stiffness have to be found in order to maximize hail resistance and mechanical rigidity while minimizing the module’s weight.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
research article
DOI
10.1109/JPHOTOV.2018.2876934
Author(s)
Martins, Ana C
Corporate authors
Chapuis, Valentin
•
Virtuani, Alessandro
•
Ballif, Christophe
Date Issued

2018-11-14

Published in
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
Volume

9

Issue

1

Start page

245

End page

251

Subjects

Crystalline-silicon (c-Si) solar cells

•

Complex modulus

•

Lightweight

•

Reliability

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
PV-LAB  
Available on Infoscience
January 21, 2019
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/153565
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés