Investigating a New Operating Point for PV Panels Seeking Maximum Life Span

In this paper we try to control the operation mode of PV panels to achieve a higher lifespan. In fact, PV panels are subject to several degradation modes: Potential Induced Degradation, Light Induced Degradation, UltraViolet Degradation, Moisture Induced Degradation, and cell cracks. The common factor that affects all the above degradation modes is temperature. In fact high temperatures lead to higher degradation process. In this paper we present an enhanced thermal model of PV panels. We simulate its behavior as a function of its operation. We define a new operating point to achieve a higher lifespan.