Impact of cracks in multicrystalline silicon solar cells on PV module power - A simulation study based on field data

In this work we present a methodology to exploit the crack statistics of solar cells in PV modules assessed in field for simulating the power output of PV modules. The probability of crack and the type of crack depending on the position of the cell in the module are used to simulate a statistical distribution of modules constituted of cells represented by an extended two diodes model. The effect of crack resistance on the average performance of modules is determined and we show that cracks have a significative effect on module power when they show a resistance higher than 0.001 Ω. We compare the modelled resistances with resistances measured for cracks caused by mechanical loading tests. In the range of measured crack resistances, up to 5 to 10% of the modules lose up to 33% of their initial power.