New research models moisture ingress in PV modules

TU Delft, in collaboration with IMEC, Hasselt University, and EnergyVille, has developed a Finite Element Method model using COMSOL to simulate internal moisture concentration in photovoltaic modules. The study, published in Renewable Energy, found that climate conditions have a greater impact on moisture ingress than encapsulant or backsheet material types. According to the research team, PV modules should be designed based on the climate they are exposed to for improved durability. To address high computational demands, the team proposed an analytical model that reproduced FEM results with less than 0.05 deviation. The study also determined that relative moisture content inside the module is a more accurate predictor of degradation than external humidity, which improves the accuracy of lifetime prediction models and helps design PV systems for varied environmental conditions.