Evolution of stress and fracture in silicon photovoltaic module during various manufacturing stages

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic or PV module manufacturers are ramping up their production to meet the ever-growing demand in power supply. However, recent reports show that the PV modules fail due to mechanical stress and fracture experienced by the crystalline silicon, c-Si, solar cells during fabrication and operation. The silicon cell fracture reduces the efficiency of solar PV modules. The residual stresses generated in the silicon cell by various stages of manufacturing process are primarily attributed to fracture. Numerical analysis of stress and fracture origin, and their journey during PV module manufacturing process, helps to mitigate the failure of PV module.