Climate Change & Energy Demand
Undoubtedly, climate change stands as the most critical concern for the future of our planet’s environment. The evidence is overwhelming – the primary culprit behind this global issue is the way we produce and consume energy.
Consequently, there has been a significant global momentum to shift from traditional energy sources to renewable solutions, and this transition is undeniably necessary.
While solar energy has been available for quite some time, recent technological advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology, combined with the pressing need to alter our energy consumption patterns, have propelled the solar industry to the forefront. This has made solar power a leading contender in providing us with affordable and eco-friendly electricity.
The success and expansion of PV technology worldwide largely depend on the present and future design specifications. As solar energy becomes the go-to solution to meet our increasing energy demands, ensuring effective and efficient PV design is crucial in driving its widespread adoption and growth globally.
Potential Induced Degradation (PID)
Solar cell power loss has long been plagued by two fundamental issues from a production standpoint. One of these concerns is potential induced degradation (PID), while the other is light and elevated temperature induced degradation (leTID), which you can learn more about in the provided link.
PID has been a persistent challenge for solar panel manufacturers since the inception of PV panel production. However, in the modern era of solar panel manufacturing, PID research has gained paramount importance, especially for reputable solar panel providers.
Over the recent years, extensive analysis and exploration have been devoted to understanding and mitigating this problem. Although PID has not been completely eliminated yet, significant design improvements have been made.
To comprehend PID, it is essential to have a basic understanding of how solar cells generate electricity. Solar panels consist of horizontal and vertical rows of individual solar cells.
Each cell captures sunlight, including daylight even through cloud cover, and functions as a semiconductor.
When these solar cells exchange charges with each other, they create an electrical field. This current is then directed through various components, such as an inverter, ultimately converting it into green and free electricity for use in homes and businesses.
Solar Panels In The Early Days
During the early days of solar panel manufacturing, the industry encountered a major issue known as ‘PID’ (Potential Induced Degradation), which stemmed from a combination of contributing factors, including:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Condensation
- Voltage leakage
- Inferior design
The presence of unintended electrical charge carriers, mainly sodium ions in the glass of the panels, led to the movement of current through the glass, resulting in leakage into the sensitive solar cells below. Additionally, problems arose with leakage related to earthing and panel mounting components.
As PID occurred, it severely disrupted the electricity generation process, causing solar cells to produce much less deliverable electricity than originally designed.
The net outcome of these issues was significant power decline and degradation, leading to considerable losses in terms of energy output.
