Damage to photovoltaic installation
Damage can occur to cells, modules, as well as to connecting elements, e.g.: cables, connectors, junction boxes.
Damage can appear during production, transport, assembly, as well as during operation, when many factors are present. During production, the modules are subjected to e.g. chemical agents, high temperature and mechanical stress. During transport and installation, damage to the modules may occur due to inadequate protection against falling or improper behaviour of the installer during installation, e.g. walking on the modules, overtightening to the supporting structure. During operation, the modules may be exposed to e.g. strong wind, hail. In a marine environment, the modules and elements of the supporting structure can be permanently damaged by the humid and corrosive atmosphere e.g. as a result of salt accumulation on the elements of the installation.
The most common defects and damage include:

CELLS

• hot-spots,
• microcracks and cracks,
• transparent electrode corrosion (TCO),
• Potential Induced Degradation (PID),
• Light Induced Degradation (LID),
• Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation (TeLID).

MODULES

• delamination,
• glass cracks.

INSTALLATION COMPONENTS

• connector defects,
• burned-out junction boxes.