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Stability of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 Solar Cells
2.1 Introduction
In chapter 1, it is presented that a long and predictable lifetime is crucial for the large
scale introduction of CIGS modules. However, field data show that CIGS modules can
fail during outdoor exposure (Table 2.1). In order to limit power loss of these modules
and to compensate for lack of knowledge about the intrinsic stability of CIGS solar
cells, the protective measures within modules, like water barriers and edge seals, are
overdesigned. In order to better understand the degradation behaviour of CIGS solar
cells and modules, this chapter contains a literature review about the existing knowl-
edge in 2015 including data that can be found in this thesis.
In order to estimate the lifetime of CIGS modules in the field, an overview of degrada -
tion rates of their efficiencies is shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Literature overview of degradation rates (relative percent/year) of CIGS
modules obtained from field tests at different locations.
Panel type / Degradation
producer Period Location rate (rel %/year)
Makrides [1] Würth WS11007/75 2006-2011 Nicosia, Cyprus 1.9 to 2.4
Dhere [2] 2005-2007 Florida, USA 4.5 to 5.1
Musikowski [3] Würth WS11007/75 2003-2010 Magdeburg, 0
Germany
Del Cueto [4] 1990 (2002)-2008 Colorado, USA 0.2 to 2.3
Del Cueto [4] 2005-2008 Colorado, USA 2.5 to
4.7 (with bias)
Jordan [5] Shell Solar PowerMax 2006-2011 Colorado, USA 0
Eclipse® 80-C
Jordan [5] Colorado, USA 0 to 3.7
Meyer [6] 2001 (10 months) South-Africa 48
Meyer [6] 2001-2003 South-Africa 8.1
Niki [7] ZSW 2003-2007 Widderstall, 0.2
Germany
Ermer [8] Siemens Solar Until 1990 (17.5 months) Colorado USA 4.1
Tarrant [9] Siemens Solar 1988-2006 Colorado USA -0.2 to 1.7
Kushiya [10] Showa Shell Sekiyu 2003-2006 Japan 0
Radue [11] 2007-2009 (13 months) Port Elizabeth – -1.8 to 4.1
South-Africa
27
2.1 Introduction
In chapter 1, it is presented that a long and predictable lifetime is crucial for the large
scale introduction of CIGS modules. However, field data show that CIGS modules can
fail during outdoor exposure (Table 2.1). In order to limit power loss of these modules
and to compensate for lack of knowledge about the intrinsic stability of CIGS solar
cells, the protective measures within modules, like water barriers and edge seals, are
overdesigned. In order to better understand the degradation behaviour of CIGS solar
cells and modules, this chapter contains a literature review about the existing knowl-
edge in 2015 including data that can be found in this thesis.
In order to estimate the lifetime of CIGS modules in the field, an overview of degrada -
tion rates of their efficiencies is shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 Literature overview of degradation rates (relative percent/year) of CIGS
modules obtained from field tests at different locations.
Panel type / Degradation
producer Period Location rate (rel %/year)
Makrides [1] Würth WS11007/75 2006-2011 Nicosia, Cyprus 1.9 to 2.4
Dhere [2] 2005-2007 Florida, USA 4.5 to 5.1
Musikowski [3] Würth WS11007/75 2003-2010 Magdeburg, 0
Germany
Del Cueto [4] 1990 (2002)-2008 Colorado, USA 0.2 to 2.3
Del Cueto [4] 2005-2008 Colorado, USA 2.5 to
4.7 (with bias)
Jordan [5] Shell Solar PowerMax 2006-2011 Colorado, USA 0
Eclipse® 80-C
Jordan [5] Colorado, USA 0 to 3.7
Meyer [6] 2001 (10 months) South-Africa 48
Meyer [6] 2001-2003 South-Africa 8.1
Niki [7] ZSW 2003-2007 Widderstall, 0.2
Germany
Ermer [8] Siemens Solar Until 1990 (17.5 months) Colorado USA 4.1
Tarrant [9] Siemens Solar 1988-2006 Colorado USA -0.2 to 1.7
Kushiya [10] Showa Shell Sekiyu 2003-2006 Japan 0
Radue [11] 2007-2009 (13 months) Port Elizabeth – -1.8 to 4.1
South-Africa
27
