Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP

PV Module and Component Defects

Standardized Performance Testing

  • STC power measurement (Standard Test Conditions: 25±1°C, 1000 W/m², AM1.5)
  • Low-light measurement (200 W/m²)
  • Matrix measurement (irradiance 100–1300 W/m²)
  • Determination of temperature coefficients
  • Variable flash duration and hysteresis measurement
  • Integrated electroluminescence measurement

Load Testing for Substructure and Module

  • Static mechanical stress test according to customer specifications
  • Static stress test according to IEC 61215-2 MQT 16
  • Dynamic mechanical stress test IEC 61215-2 MQT 20
  • Test to Fail of the substructure including modules
  • Continuous load test at variable temperatures to detect back-side fractures under low load
  • Torsion test

Advanced Standard UV Exposure Tests

  • Standard test for UV-ID sensitivity according to IEC TS 63624-1
  • Pre-stress tests: VI, STC performance measurement, electroluminescence (EL)
  • Initial stabilization
  • UV test: 60 kWh/m²
  • Post-light-soak and dark-storage effects: VI, STC, EL
  • Repeated UV tests and analyses for your module benchmarking

Failure Analysis for Junction Boxes and Connector Pairs

  • X-ray analysis
  • Thermography
  • Non-destructive visualization of failure areas (e.g., defective connectors, cold solder joints)
  • Analytical electron microscopy (structure, corrosion)

Examples of Our Work

 

New standardizable test method for PV module backsheets

Press Release

Classification of cell tears provides greater legal certainty

Press Release

Reference Projects

PV-Riss

Assessment of cell cracks in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules using imaging techniques

 

See Project Website

IndiFiduell

Custom wire-to-finger connections for high-efficiency modules with long-term stability

 

See Project Website

SegmentPV

Higher energy yields by avoiding hotspots

See Project Website

PolymAERA

Standardisierbares Prüfverfahren für PV-Modul-Rückseitenfolien

See Project Website

Anomalous

Detecting module failures in PV systems caused by defective backsheets at an early stage

 

See Project Website