Effect of Peak Temperature and Ramp Rate on Thermal-Cycling Results of PV Modules

Extended thermal cycling was carried out on commercial crystalline silicon solar cell modules with four different temperature profiles. The standard profile followed IEC 61215-2:2016 MQT 11, cycling between the standard temperature range from -45 and 85°C, with the standard ramp rate of 100°C/hr. A high-peak profile cycled between -45 and 100°C, with the standard ramp rate. A fast-ramp profile cycled the standard temperature range, with a faster ~180°C/hr ramp rate. Finally, a high-peak-and-fast-ramp profile cycled the extended temperature range (-45 to 100°C) with the faster ramp rate (~180°C/hr). STC power measurements were obtained after every 100 cycles. Our results show that the peak temperature has a statistically significant effect on the power loss, and that the effect can be explained with the Coffin-Manson-style relationship proposed in IEC 62892.