Design Optimization of Large-scale Bifacial Photovoltaic Module Frame Based on FEM and RSM

Dongwoon Han; Seongtak Kim

doi:10.7836/kses.2023.43.6.001

All Issue

2023 Vol.43, Issue 6 Next Page

Research Article

Design Optimization of Large-scale Bifacial Photovoltaic Module Frame Based on FEM and RSM 유한요소법 및 반응표면법 기반 대면적 양면형 태양광 모듈 프레임 최적설계

30 December 2023. pp. 1-12

PDF XML

Abstract

Large-scale bifacial photovoltaic modules have the advantages of high unit yield and production. Because the module weight increases with the module size, the power conversion efficiency can decrease owing to defects such as encapsulant delamination and cell cracking caused by the increased deflection of the module. However, research on the design optimization of large-scale bifacial photovoltaic module frames is lacking. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the deflection of large-scale bifacial photovoltaic modules using finite element analysis (FEA). Furthermore, we propose an optimal design for a solar module frame that minimizes both module deflection and frame weight using the response surface methodology (RSM). We established 32 experimental setups utilizing the design of experiments with five frame shape factors placed at two levels each. The results of structural analysis showed that the maximum deflection occurred at the center of the module. The results obtained using RSM for minimizing deflection and weight yielded optimal factors as follows: a, b, c, d, e were found to be 1.9 mm, 14.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, and 2.5 mm, respectively. A comparison of the deflection and weight between the existing and optimal conditions obtained from structural analysis revealed an increase in weight of approximately 4.5% compared to the existing conditions. Simultaneously, a deflection reduction of approximately 15.8% was observed.

Keywords

Design optimization

Large-scale bifacial photovoltaic module

Frame

Finite element method

Structural analysis

Design of experiments

Response surface methodology

키워드

최적 설계

대면적 양면형 태양광 모듈

프레임

유한요소법

구조해석

실험계획법

반응표면법

References

Lee, S., Lee, S., Lee, T., Jeong, K., Park, S., Kang, M., Song, H., and Yoon, J., Changes in the Silicon Painting Photovoltaic Industry to Large Area Wafers, Journal of the Korean Photovoltaic Society, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 16-21, 2021.

Tummalieh, A., Beinert, A., Reichel, C., Mittag, M., and Neuhaus, H., Holistic Design Improvement of the PV Module Frame:Mechanical, Optoelectrical, Cost, and Life Cycle Analysis, Progress in Photovoltaics, Vol. 30, No. 8, pp. 807-1058, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.3533. 10.1002/pip.3533

Kajari-Schröder, S., Kunze, I., Eitner, U., and Köntges, M., Spatial and Orientational Distribution of Cracks in Crystalline Photovoltaic Modules Generated by Mechanical Load Tests, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 95, No. 11, pp. 3054-3059, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2011.06.032. 10.1016/j.solmat.2011.06.032

Köntges, M., Kunze, I., Kajari-Schröder, S., Breitenmoser, X., and Bjørneklett, B., The Risk of Power Loss in Crystalline Silicon based Photovoltaic Modules Due to Micro-cracks, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 95, No. 4, pp. 1131-1137, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2010.10.034. 10.1016/j.solmat.2010.10.034

Hartley, J., Owen-Bellini, M., Truman, T., Maes, A., Elce, E., Ward, A., Khraishi, T., and Roberts, S., Effects of Photovoltaic Module Materials and Design on Module Deformation Under Load, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 838-843, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2020.2971139. 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2020.2971139

Noh, Y., Jeong, J., and Lee, J., Structural Analysis Model to Evaluate the Mechanical Reliability of Large-area Photovoltaic Modules, Current Photovoltaic Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 56-61, 2022, https://doi.org/10.21218/CPR.2022.10.2.056.

Joshua, S., Christian, R., Johanna Bonilla, C., Gabi, F., Giosue, M., Elias, U., and Samuli, R., Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules and Systems: Experience and Results from International Research and Pilot Applications, United states, 2021, https://doi.org/10.2172/1779379. 10.2172/1779379

Dullweber, T., and Schmidt, J., Industrial Silicon Solar Cells Applying the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) Concept-A Review, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 1366-1381, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2016.2571627. 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2016.2571627

Sun, X., Khan, M., Deline, C., and Alam, M., Optimization and Performance of Bifacial Solar Modules: A Global Perspective, Applied Energy, Vol. 212, pp. 1601-1610, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.041. 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.041

Deline, C., Peláez, S., Marion, B., Sekulic, B., Woodhouse, M., and Stein, J., Bifacial PV System Performance: Separating Fact from Fiction, IEEE 46th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), June 2019, Chicago, USA, https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1532646.

Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V., International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) - Results 2019, 2020. http://itrpv.vdma.org/. last accessed on the 11^th September 2023.

Qcell Korea, Q.PEAK DUO XL-G11.7/BFG, 2023. https://qcells.com/kr/get-started/complete-energy-solution/solar-panel-detail?slrPnlId=SRPL211201073622008&look=003. last accessed on the 11^th September 2023.

Pfreundt, A., Yucebas, D., Beinert, A.J., Verissimo Mesquita, L., Pitta Bauermann, L., Romer, P., and Mittag, M., Post-Processing Thickness Variation of PV Module Materials and its Impact on Temperature, Mechanical Stress and Power, 36th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, September 2019, Marseille, France, https://doi.org/10.4229/EUPVSEC20192019-4CO.4.3.

Lee, Y. and Tay, A., Stress Analysis of Silicon Wafer-Based Photovoltaic Modules Under IEC 61215 Mechanical Load Test, Energy Procedia, Vol. 33, pp. 265-271, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2013.05.067. 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.05.067

Eitner, U., Kajari-Schröder, S., Köntges, M., and Altenbach, H., Thermal Stress and Strain of Solar Cells in Photovoltaic Modules, Shell-like Structures, Vol. 15, pp. 453-468, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21855-2_29. 10.1007/978-3-642-21855-2_29

Beinert, A., Ebert, M., Eitner, U., and Aktaa, J., Influence of Photovoltaic Module Mounting Systems on the Thermo-Mechanical Stresses in Solar Cells by FEM Modelling, 32nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, June 2016, Munich, Germany, https://doi.org/10.4229/EUPVSEC20162016-5BV.1.14.

Beinert, A. and Masolin, A., Enhancing PV Module Thermomechanical Performance and Reliability by an Innovative Mounting Solution, 37th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, September 2020, Lisbon, Portugal, https://doi.org/10.4229/EUPVSEC20202020-4AV.2.8.

Beinert, A., Romer, P., Heinrich, M., Mittag, M., Aktaa, J., and Neuhaus, D., The Effect of Cell and Module Dimensions on Thermomechanical Stress in PV Modules, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 70-77, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2019.2949875. 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2019.2949875

IEC 61215:2005, Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules - Design Qualification and Type Approval, International Electrochemical Commission, 2005.

Logan, D. L., A First Course in the Finite Element Method, Cengage Engineering, 2017.

Papargyri, L., Papanastasiou, P., and Georghiou, G., Effect of Materials and Design on PV Cracking under Mechanical Loading, Renewable Energy, Vol. 199, pp. 433-444, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.009. 10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.009

Information

Publisher :Korean Solar Energy Society
Publisher(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
Journal Title(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회 논문집
Volume : 43
No :6
Pages :1-12
Received Date : 2023-09-21
Revised Date : 2023-10-24
Accepted Date : 2023-10-30
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7836/kses.2023.43.6.001

Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society ISSN:1598-6411(Print) 2508-3562(Online) 한국태양에너지학회 논문집

All Issue