Micro cracks in solar cells are a frequent challenge for manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules. EU-funded researchers introduced an innovative pre-stressing technique to retard the growth of cracks and make durable solar cells.
Regular silicon solar cells are made of very thin wafers, usually around 200 microns thick. Although they have some ability to flex, they can suffer from cracks – often induced by mechanical forces or thermal stresses. These micro cracks are so small that they are impossible to see with the naked eye, making detection difficult. “In particular micro cracks can be caused by poor handling of the solar cells during their production, by transport or installation damage of the modules or by exposure to various climatic impact factors,” notes Prof. Marco Paggi who has been in charge of the EU-funded project PHYSIC.
Further information: A solution to fracture for durable solar cells