LOW-COST EXPERIMENTAL FACILITY FOR EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF DYNAMIC MECHANICAL LOADS ON PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

The efficiency of modern photovoltaic systems is strongly reduced when the crystalline structure of the solar cells is being damaged due to extensive mechanical stress caused by climatic factors such as heavy wind or snow. This work is focused on the investigation of the cyclic dynamic mechanical loads required to alter the efficiency of typical solar panels in order to simulate various weather conditions and investigate the reliability of the solar panels when they are subjected to stress. Experimental setup is described in the study. During experiments the solar panels have been treated up to 40 Hz vibrations with the maximum magnitude of the shift of the solar panel in the range of 0.3 mm. Simulation model of the characteristic frequencies during vibrations is also presented in this work. The experimental vibration spectrum has also been determined. The acquired experimental data showed appearance of micro fractures in the crystalline structure of the photovoltaic modules and allowed estimation of the average reliability of a typical modern photovoltaic module in harsh weather conditions. The setup could be successfully applied for express testing of solar panels and investigation of the susceptibility of photovoltaic modules to mechanical stress.