Photovoltaic Array Reliability Optimization

Several statistical reliability studies have been conducted in areas of photovoltaic component design covering cell failure, interconnect fatigue, glass breakage and electrical insulation breakdown. This paper integrates the results from these studies and draws general conclusions relative to optimal reliability features for modules. The analysis is based on designing for specified low levels of component failures and then controlling the degrading effects of the failures through the use of fault tolerant circuitry and module replacement. Means of selecting the cost-optimal level of component failures, circuit redundancy, and module replacement are described.