Are glass-glass PV modules a problem?

Unfortunately, glass-glass PV modules are, similar to regular PV modules, subject to early life failures. A failure of growing concern are defects in the glass layer (s) of PV modules. The scale of decommissioned PV modules with glass defects will increase with the development of solar PV energy [ 7 ].

Can PV modules survive a glass defect?

However, glass defects do not directly imply that PV modules endure internal damage nor that PV modules cannot continue to operate with minimal microcracks. Thus far, glass defects have been regarded as a failure beyond repair and no noticeable attempt has been made to develop reparation methods.

What is the market share of glass-glass PV modules?

Glass-glass PV modules currently account for about 15% market share in the PV industry. Nonetheless, these glass-glass designs are predicted to represent up to 50% of the PV market in 2030 [ 10 ]. Glass-glass PV modules have a more durable design and higher mechanical strength [ 11 ].

Are dual-glass PV modules failing?

Scientists and researchers at NREL, including Timothy Silverman and Elizabeth Palmiotti, are investigating early failure in dual-glass PV modules. Dual-glass PV modules are experiencing low-energy glass fracture at an alarming rate under expected conditions of use.

Are glass-glass PV modules more expensive than regular GBS modules?

While there are no technical disadvantages to glass-glass PV modules [ 10, 19 ], in general glass-glass PV designs are more expensive than regular GBS modules due to the use of an additional costly glass layer and the increased weight that may lead to higher costs for support structures.

How common is glass breakage in PV modules?

A customer complaints research, on PV modules after two years of operation, observed glass breakage for 10% of the failure cases [ 28 ]. Another study on PV failures observed an even higher failure-share for glass breakage.