Long Term Reliability of Photovoltaic Modules

BP Solar has utilized long term module exposure data and field return data to determine module lifetimes, expected failure rates and to identify failure mechanisms. While outdoor testing is a must for understanding PV reliability, it takes much too long to be of use in determining the effects of changes in materials, processes or equipment. This paper describes how BP Solar utilizes accelerated stress testing to verify the robustness of its new PV products