Material quality
Most photovoltaic modules that accelerate the degradation of solar panels are caused by LID, PID, and backplane failures. These degradation mechanisms are partially caused by material defects, so it can be concluded that photovoltaic modules with higher quality materials degrade at a slower rate.
Other materials and technologies can be used to slow down corrosion and reduce degradation of solar panels. It has been proven that solar panel systems can be used for at least 40 years under degraded conditions, but some pioneering companies in the solar energy industry have improved the technology and provided 30-year and 40-year photovoltaic warranties.
Assembly of modules
Photovoltaic modules may use high-quality materials, but they require the strictest manufacturing processes to ensure optimal performance.
Improving manufacturing technology can reduce the degradation of solar panels and extend the service life of photovoltaic modules.
Correct installation
During the installation process, when transporting and handling solar panels, the modules will be affected by mechanical stress. This stress can cause solar panels to degrade due to backplane failures, resulting in partial power loss or damage to photovoltaic modules.
To reduce the degradation of solar panels caused by back panel cracking and extend the service life of photovoltaic modules, it is recommended that certified professionals handle and install the modules correctly. This is particularly important when dealing with more fragile thin film solar panels.
Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is an important strategy to reduce the degradation of solar panels in both large and small applications. Predictive and preventive maintenance can extend the lifespan of photovoltaic systems by reducing degradation caused by pollution and dust, thereby improving the performance of solar cell arrays.
The frequency of maintenance may vary due to the presence of dust, snow, fallen leaves, and other climatic conditions. The number of birds in the region (related to bird litter) may also increase the required maintenance frequency.
Weather factors
Weather phenomena are not a controllable variable, but they can be considered when installing photovoltaic modules and performing maintenance to avoid further degradation of solar panels. Before installing a large-scale photovoltaic system, specialized research on location and historical natural disasters should be considered to ensure the feasibility of the installation location.
An important option to take when preparing for extreme weather phenomena is to choose photovoltaic modules with better mechanical performance. This may include better intrusion protection (IP) index, harder frame ratings, glass with higher impact resistance, and so on.
