Advanced Industrial High‐Efficiency Silicon PV Module Design

Summary

A review of the latest technical developments in photovoltaic (PV) module assembly is presented. This chapter shows that the improvements in performance of PV systems are not only due to cell efficiency improvements, but recent developments in module technology have also played a significant role. Modules with multi‐busbars and half‐cut cells have become the standard already in 2019. With the increase of wafer size to 182 or 210 mm, the industry had to redesign the PV modules, growing the portfolio of products up to 700 W, incorporating new technologies, for example, to laser cut the cells by non‐destructive cutting with less mechanical damage. Technologies to improve the light trapping inside the module and to improve the module efficiency include the reduction of the gap between cells, high‐durability antireflection coating of the glass, reflecting ribbons and wire interconnection, and UV down‐conversion. New encapsulants, called EPE, combining the advantages of both ethylene vinyl acetate and polyolefin elastomer provide improved protection against potential induced degradation. The design of bifacial modules is also discussed.