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H2020Doctoral network2016–2020

SOLAR-TRAIN · Photovoltaic module life time forecast and evaluation

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2016-09-01 → 2020-08-31
EU contribution
€3,576,248
Participants
18
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Photovoltaic module life time forecast and evaluation

The quality assurance in the photovoltaic industry is yet in its infancy, requiring both underpinning science and trained personnel to reduce costs of energy. An unmet industrial requirement is an accelerated and operating environment specific service life time and energy yield assessment. SOLAR-TRAIN has qualified selected early stage researchers in the field of PV durability as part of a highly innovative, multi-disciplinary project meeting industry requirements. The objective was to develop novel, validated models for the service life time and energy prediction of PV modules and systems. The elements to this puzzle were researched in the frame of 14 MSCA Fellowships with individual areas of focus, such as • climatic degradation factors, • system analytics, • material (polymer) parameters, • service life & energy models, • linking production to performance and • performance enhancement by improved O&M. The project was integrated both in terms of research as well as training. This inter-sectoral approach provided excellent theoretical and technical background as well as immersion in different business sectors and career mentoring, allowing ESRs to build up a sustainable professional network across Europe. To enable a most effective cross-sectoral training, the project’s beneficiaries and partners represent the entire value chain, from materials developers / manufacturers through to operators and insurance companies. SOLAR-TRAIN has delivered on the targets stated in Issue Paper No. 2 of the SET Plan to maintain and strengthen PV technology leadership in Europe.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The quality assurance in the photovoltaic industry is yet in its infancy, requiring both underpinning science and trained personnel to reduce costs of energy. An unmet industrial requirement is an accelerated, and operating environment specific, service life time and energy yield assessment. SOLAR-TRAIN will qualify ESRs in the field of PV durability as part of a highly innovative, multi-disciplinary project meeting industry requirements. The objective is to develop novel, validated models for the service life time and energy prediction of PV modules and systems. The elements to this puzzle are researched in the frame of 14 PhD projects with individual areas of focus, such as (a) climatic degradation factors, (b) system analytics, (c) material (polymer) parameters, (d) service life & energy models, (e) linking production to performance and (f) performance enhancement by improved O&M. Commercial and test samples will be produced and tested in the distributed measurement campaign during this project. They will be exposed to state-of-the-art and to-be-developed stress cycles to allow a validated link of degradation to stresses, production methods, materials and methods of deployment. Accelerated and lower cost test cycles for the assessment of innovative materials and module developments will be delivered. The project is integrated both in terms of research as well as training. This inter-sectoral approach provides excellent theoretical and technical background as well as immersion in different business sectors and career mentoring, allowing ESRs to build up a sustainable professional network across Europe. For a most effective cross-sectoral training, the project’s beneficiaries and partners represent the entire value chain, from materials developers / manufacturers through to operators and insurance companies. SOLAR-TRAIN will deliver on the targets stated in Issue Paper No. 2 of the SET Plan to maintain and strengthen PV leadership in Europe.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV · MunchenCoordinatorGermany
  • ACCADEMIA EUROPEA DI BOLZANO · BolzanoItaly
  • APLICACIONES TECNICAS DE LA ENERGIASL · ALMUSSAFES VALENCIASpain
  • BAYWA R.E. OPERATION SERVICES SRL · MilanoItaly
  • Bisol Proizvodnja, d.o.o. · PreboldSlovenia
  • ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE · ParisFrance
  • EVASA SA · A CoruñaSpain
  • FUNDACION CENER · SarrigurenSpain
  • ISOVOLTAIC AG · LEBRINGAustria
  • JRC -JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE- EUROPEAN COMMISSION · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium
  • LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY · LoughboroughUnited Kingdom
  • Lightsource Renewable Energy Holdings Limited · LondonUnited Kingdom
  • MONTANUNIVERSITAET LEOBEN · LeobenAustria
  • POLYMER COMPETENCE CENTER LEOBEN GMBH · LEOBENAustria
  • Solar Insurance B.V. · ArnhemNetherlands
  • Solarwatt · DresdenGermany
  • UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID · MadridSpain
  • UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI · LjubljanaSlovenia

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union