Additional requirements for supplementary rating

and qualification of bifacial PV-modules

Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

C. Monokroussos1, X. Y. Zhang1, M. Li1, S. Chen1, A. Zhou1, S. Liu1, J. Zhu1, N. Wang1, E. Lee1,

J. Bonilla Castro2, W. Herrmann2, M. Schweiger2, V. Feng1, Y. Zhang1 and C. Zou1
1 TÜV Rheinland (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., No.177, Lane 777, West Guangzhong, 200072, Shanghai,
P.R. China
2 TÜV Rheinland Energy GmbH, Am Grauen Stein, 51105, Cologne, Germany
Outline
 Supplementary Power Rating
 Background and motivation
 Rear irradiance modelling
 Bifacial standard test condition (BSTC)
 Requirements for gate #1
 Additional Requirements for Testing and Qualification
 Field failures for bifacial modules
 BiFi vs. MoFi operating conditions in the field
 Proposal for IEC 61215 & IEC 61730
 Qualification testing preliminary results
 Summary and Conclusions

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Motivation and Background

Bifacial modules have

higher performance
(PR>100%) than
monofacial, due to the
contribution of rear face
irradiance

DO WE NEED A
SUPPLEMENTARY Bifacial PV-modules
Sales price of PV
RATING TEST with unclear rating
modules is based on
CONDITION FOR conditions were seen
STC measurements
BIFACIAL MODULE in the market
PERFORMANCE?

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 Modelling Approach Field parameter Bifacial reference condition

Beam & - As defined in IEC 60904-3

Circumsolar
Irradiance
Diffuse Irradiance - As defined in IEC 60904-3
- Isotropic diffuse
Ground Albedo - Lambertian diffuse reflector
- Light sandy soil with spectral albedo as
given in SMARTS v. 2.9.5
Air Mass 1.5

Inclination angle 37°

Front side 1000 W/m2

irradiance
Shading No near shading
Esλ = cosθ · Ebnλ + Rd ·Edλ + ρ'gλ ·Rr ·Eλ
PV-array design Single row, >10 modules

Height above 1m
ground
Global Direct Diffuse Albedo Module Spectral transmission data for
Tilted Beam Beam Component Transmission Glass/EVA/Glass structures of bifacial
Irradiance Component Component modules

Reference:
C. Guyemard et al., “SMARTS2: A simple model of the atmospheric radiative transfer of Sunshine: Algorithms and performance assessment”, FSEC-PF-
270-95 (1995)

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 Modelling Approach Field parameter Bifacial reference condition

Beam & - As defined in IEC 60904-3

Circumsolar
Irradiance
Diffuse Irradiance - As defined in IEC 60904-3
- Isotropic diffuse
Ground Albedo - Lambertian diffuse reflector
- Light sandy soil with spectral albedo as
given in SMARTS v. 2.9.5
Air Mass 1.5

Inclination angle 37°

Front side 1000 W/m2

irradiance
Shading No near shading
Esλ = cosθ · Ebnλ + Rd ·Edλ + ρ'gλ ·Rr ·Eλ
PV-array design Single row, >10 modules

Esλ, Ebnλ, Edλ, Eλ : Spectral irradiance components Height above 1m

cosθ, Rd, Rr : Angular and field of view components ground
ρ'gλ: Spectral albedo Module Spectral transmission data for
Transmission Glass/EVA/Glass structures of bifacial
modules

Reference:
C. Guyemard et al., “SMARTS2: A simple model of the atmospheric radiative transfer of Sunshine: Algorithms and performance assessment”, FSEC-PF-
270-95 (1995)

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 AM1.5G Spectral Irradiance at Rear Face

1
AM1.5G at front face

Normalised Spectral
Irradiance 0.8

Irradiance [au]
AM1.5G at rear face
Elevation [m]

Distribution at Rear
0.6
Face, GR
0.4

0.2

0
0 400 800 1200 1600 2000 2400 2800 3200 3600 4000
Wavelength [nm]

G [W/m2]

• Accounting for the methodology used in SMARTS2, a physics-based model was created,
which can compute radiation distributions on tilted surfaces and their spectrum.
• It is shown that rear face irradiance for PV-modules deployed in a single row at 1 m above
ground at conditions as defined in AM1.5G lies in the range of 118-138 W/m2.
• The spectral distribution of the irradiance at rear face is red-shifted due to spectral albedo
effects.
 Different mismatch factors for front and rear irradiance components.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Bifacial Standard Test Condition (BSTC)

G=1 kW/m2 𝑮𝑬𝒊

G=1 kW/m2

𝐺𝐸𝑖 = 1000 W/m²+ 𝜑 ∗ 𝐺𝑅𝑖 IEC 60904-1-2 𝐺𝑅𝟏 = 100 W/m² 𝐺𝑅𝟐 = 200 W/m² 𝐺𝑅𝟑 = xxx W/m²

𝝋= 𝑀𝑖𝑛 (𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄, 𝝋𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙) 2PfG 2645/11.17 𝐺𝑅𝟏 = 100 W/m² 𝐺𝑅𝟐 = 200 W/m² 𝐺𝑅𝟑 = 135 W/m²

Bifacial Standard Test Condition (BSTC) [1] :

• Front irradiance: 1000 W/m²• Module temperature: 25°C
• Rear irradiance: 135 W/m² • Spectral irradiance: AM1.5G
• Equivalent irradiance: 1000 + φ·135 W/m² Rear Face

[1] 2PfG 2645/11.17: Measurement of I-V characteristics of bifacial photovoltaic devices and label requirements

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Verification of BSTC Values on the Label (Gate #1)

• Stabilized 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 of each sample with

𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) consideration of plus-uncertainty ≥ Nominal
Power with consideration of minus-tolerance

• Average of stabilized 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 values of all samples

𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) with consideration of plus-uncertainty ≥
Nominal Power

• Stabilized 𝑉𝑜𝑐 with consideration of plus-

𝑉𝑜𝑐 (BSTC) uncertainty ≤ nominal value on type label with
consideration of plus-tolerance

• Stabilized 𝐼𝑠𝑐 with consideration of plus-

𝐼𝑠𝑐 (BSTC) uncertainty ≤ nominal value on type label with
consideration of plus-tolerance

• Stabilized 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 with consideration of minus-

𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) for
uncertainty ≤ Nominal Power with
minimum power class
consideration of plus-tolerance

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Verification of BSTC values on the label (Gate #1
requirements)
 m1( BSTC ) %   t % 
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) Pmax( BSTC ) Lab   1  P  NP   1 – 1( BSTC )
 100  max( BSTC )
 100 
   

 m1( BSTC ) % 


Pmax( BSTC ) Lab   1  P
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) max( BSTC ) NP
 100 
 

 m2( BSTC ) %   t % 

𝑉𝑜𝑐 (BSTC) Voc(BSTC) Lab   1   V  NP   1  2( BSTC )
 100  oc(BSTC)
 100 
   

 m3( BSTC ) %   t 3( BSTC ) % 

𝐼𝑠𝑐 (BSTC) 
I sc(BSTC) Lab   1   
 I sc(BSTC) NP  1  
 100   100 
   

𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 (BSTC) for  m1( BSTC ) %   t % 

Pmax( BSTC ) Lab   1  P  NP   1  1( BSTC )
minimum power class  100  max( BSTC )
 100 
   

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 Bifaciality Coefficients Dispersion seen in Production
100.00% 100.00% 104.00%
95.00% 95.00% 103.00%
90.00% 90.00% 102.00%
85.00% 85.00%
101.00%
80.00% 80.00%
φ Pmax

100.00%

φ Voc
φ Isc
75.00% 75.00%
99.00%
70.00% 70.00%
98.00%
65.00% 65.00%
60.00% 60.00% 97.00%

55.00% 55.00% 96.00%

Sample size: 10-20 modules per type Sample size: 10-20 modules per type Sample size: 10-20 modules per type
50.00% 50.00% 95.00%
N-type N-type N-type P-type HJT N-type N-type N-type P-type HJT N-type N-type N-type P-type HJT
#1 #2 #3 #1 #1 #1 #2 #3 #1 #1 #1 #2 #3 #1 #1

• The variation of bifaciality coefficients, φ, was evaluated by measuring a series of

modules in production (10-20 modules per type).
• Bifaciality depends strongly on technology. Coefficients may vary from 60% to 90%.
• Bifaciality coefficients may vary from ±2.0% to ±5.0% (k=2) in production for as-produced
modules of the same family.
 BSTC tolerance shall account this variation to comply with supplementary label
verification in accordance with gate #1 requirements.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Reported Field Failures for Bifacial Modules

PID

Glass /
Frame LID
Breakage

Reliability

Hot-spot? FF Loss
Addressed by current
standards

Bypass Less critical for long-term

Diode reliability

Focus of this work

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Long LID…
Typical dose for mono stabilization in acc. to IEC 61215

0.0%
PMAX relative measurement uncertainty: 1.7%, k=2
Relative Efficiency

-0.5%

-1.0%

-1.5%

-2.0% type #1: c-Si

type #2: c-Si PERC
-2.5%
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330
Cumulative Light-Soaking [kWh/m2]

 Both sample types were exposed to 300kWh/m2

 Some samples may show long LID effects, which are not addressed in IEC 61215
stabilization procedure.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Module Operation Temperature in the Field: MoFi vs. BiFI

60 60

Bifacial sample size: 2 module types (2 pcs/type)

50 50
Monofacial sample size: 6 module types (2 pcs/type)

40 40
Tmod [oC]

30 30

20 20

10 10

0 0
125 175 225 275 325 375 425 475 525 575 625 675 725 775 825 875 925 975 1025 1075
Irradiance [W/m2]

* Field data were collected in Cologne, Germany from August 2017 to October 2017

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 Heat Transfer Coefficients & NMOT: MoFi vs. BiFI

Site: Cologne
Measurement Period: Aug. – Sep. 2017

MoFI: 6 types (2pcs per type)

BiFi: 2 types (2pcs per type)

Tracking: Active MPPT

9.0 41.0
40.69
35.0 33.42
Average uo [W m-² K-1]

8.50
31.33
Average u1 [W s m-³ K-1]

8.5 40.5

Average NMOT (oC)

30.0
25.0 8.0 40.0

20.0 7.41
7.5 39.5
39.09
15.0
7.0 39.0
10.0
6.5 38.5
5.0
0.0 6.0 38.0
Bifacial Monofacial Bifacial Monofacial Bifacial Monofacial
Irradiance Dependence Wind Dependence NMOT

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Localised Temperature Non-Uniformity Under Current Injection
Current: 14A Current: 10A

Current: 8A Current: 6A

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Outdoor Modules Failures Related with High Currents

burn marks on the burn marks on the high temperature at

front back disconnected position

defect bypass diode melted junction box fire

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 Total Irradiance Exposure in the Field: MoFi vs. BiFi
20000 35000
18000 Front Irradiance
Rear Irradiance 30000
16000
14000 25000 Front+Rear Irradiance

Frequency
Frequency

12000
20000
10000
8000 15000
6000 10000
4000
5000
2000
0 0
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90

Irradiance [W/m2] Irradiance [W/m2]

140% 140%

120% Bifacial sample size: 2 module types (2 pcs/type) 120%

Monofacial sample size: 6 module types (2 pcs/type)
100% 100%
Pmax / Wp [%]

80% 80%

60% 60%

40% 40%

20% 20%

0% 0%
125 175 225 275 325 375 425 475 525 575 625 675 725 775 825 875 925 975 1025 1075
Irradiance [W/m2]

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Effect of Albedo on Total Irradiance: MoFi Vs. BiFi
1600
Total Irradiance [W/m2]

1500 MoFi
BiFi Fresh Snow
1400
Old Snow
1300
1200 Sand This work
Concrete
1100 Grass
Wet Soil
1000
AM1.5G
900
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00
Albedo
 A sensitivity analysis of albedo on total irradiance was conducted at conditions given in IEC 60904-3 (AM1.5G
excluding albedo) by means of modelling.

 Monofacial samples are insensitive to albedo effects (1042W/m2 at 0.80 albedo), while bifacial modules are highly
sensitive and may experience significantly higher irradiances at higher albedos (1473W/m 2 at 0.80 albedo).

 The current severity used in this work derives from irradiances corresponding to reflective ground conditions
(1300W/m2 at 0.51 albedo).

 Higher current levels are practically hard to realise due to technology limitations of solar simulator systems.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Combined Test Sequence: IEC 61215 & 61730

Bypass diode
thermal test
MQT 18/MST 25
MQT01 MQT03 MQT15 MQT18.2

Temperature test
MST 21

MST01 MST16 MST17

Hot-spot
endurance test
MQT 09/MST 22
MQT01 MQT02 MQT03 MQT15

Thermal cycling
Thermal test
Reverse current
cycling test
(50 cycles)
(200 cycles) overload test
MQT11/MST 51
MQT 11/MST MST 26
51
MST01 MST16 MST17
MST01 MST16
MST01 MST16 MST17

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Test items influenced
 Current application in relevant tests is revised as follows to account for GE = 1000W/m2 + φ·300W/m2

Test items Monofacial Bifacial

Impp applied → Impp@GE
MST 21 – Temperature test Near Impp during the test Near Impp@GE during the test

MQT 11/ MST 51 – Thermal cycling test Applied Impp in sequences (c-Si) Applied Impp@GE in sequences (c-Si)

MQT 09/ MST 22 – Hot spot endurance Impp applied while finding the hot spot Impp@GE applied while finding the hot spot
test sensitive cells and the shading rate sensitive cells and the shading rate

Isc applied → Isc@Gref

MQT 18/ MST 25 – Bypass diode test Applied current of: Applied current of:
- 1st hr @ Isc - 1st hr @ Isc@GE
- 2nd hr @ Isc × 1.25 - 2nd hr @ Isc@GE × 1.25

MST 26 – Reverse current overload test
Relevant test
- Declared IR by manufacturer × 1.35
To Consider: (n-1) × Isc@GE × 1.25 × 1.35
(if this value is higher)
where n is the maximum allowable number
of strings in parallel

 Pass/Fail criteria still based on STC measurement (1000W/m2, front side only, covered rear side)

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Preliminary Results – Bypass Diode Test
MQT 18/ MST 25 – Bypass diode test
1h at Isc x1.25 1h at Isc@GE x1.25
D1 [℃] D2 [℃] D3 [℃]
Isc 88.8 96.2 92.2
Tcase Isc@GE 98.5 105.0 101.2
ΔΤ +9.67 +8.83 +9.09
Isc 95.8 104.8 105.9
Tjunction Isc@GE 129.6 135.8 137.6
Tcase=118.4°C Tcase=135.0°C
ΔΤ +33.8 +31.0 +31.7
where GE = 1000W/m2 + φ·300W/m2

 Bypass diode test was performed in accordance with MQT 18/ MST 25 for two module
types.
 Tests were performed at current levels of Isc and Isc@GE sequentially.
 Significantly higher temperatures were seen for higher current injection (20-30°C).
 Point of attention for manufacturers, as degradation will be accelerated in the field.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Preliminary Results – Thermal Cycling 200 Test
Type #1 (HJT) Type #2
3.0% 1.0%
2.5% 0.5%
2.0% 0.0%
1.5% -0.5%
ΔPmax [%]

ΔPmax [%]
1.0% 0.52% -1.0%
0.5% 0.26% -1.5%
-1.46%
0.0% -2.0% -1.66%
-0.5% -2.5%
-1.0% -3.0%
-1.5% -3.5%
-2.0% -4.0%
Bifacial #1 - TC200 Bifacial #1 - TC200 Bifacial #2 - TC200 Bifacial #2 - TC200
(Impp) (Impp@GE) (Impp) (Impp@GE)

 TC 200 tests were conducted in accordance with MQT 11/ MST 51 . Current injection was
performed at two levels at Impp and Impp@GE.
 All samples were initially stabilised in accordance with IEC 61215-1, -2.
 Minor additional FF loss was observed for both sample types for higher current injection.
However, the results lack statistical significance.
 It is assumed that HJT samples were influenced by metastability.
 Higher sample number is required to reach a conclusion.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Preliminary Results – Hot Spot Endurance Test
1h at Impp 1h at Impp@GE

 TC 200 tests were conducted in accordance with MQT 11/ MST 22.
 Tests were performed at current levels of Isc and Isc@GE sequentially.
 Higher temperatures in the range of 15-25°C occurred at higher current injection.
 No failure was recorded.
 Selection of worst case cells: Cells directly in front of shading objects (junction boxes
or nameplates) are prone to partial shading and may have to be prioritized in worst
case cell selection.
6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018
Glass Breakage Test of Bifacial PV Modules

Before Test Front- and Rear-side View After Test

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

 PID on P-Type Bifacial PV Modules

− Front: PID-shunts
Front glass + Na+
Na+ + Sodium ions accumulation
+ Na+ +
Metal corrosion
EVA − Irreversible
SiNx ARC − +
n-diffused emitter

+− +− + Rear: Polarization
p-type silicon wafer
Charge accumulation
− − − − − − − − Surface recombination
AlOx + + + + + + + +
SiNx ARC + + + + + + + + + + Reversible
EVA +
+ +
Rear glass +
+

S. P. Harvey et. al. Sodium accumulation at potential-induced degradation shunted areas in polycrystalline silicon modules. IEEE Journal of
Photovoltaics, vol. 6, pp. 1440–1445, 2016.
P. Hacke, PID mechanisms and degradation rates. PV module Technology & Application, Cologne, Germany, 29-30 January 2018.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Conclusions
 Power labelling of bifacial PV modules is an urgent matter. Sufficient knowledge is available to
define bifacial reference conditions.

 Bifacial Standard Test Condition (BSTC) has been proposed based on IEC 60904-1-2 CD and IEC
60904-3, which intends to provide supplementary information on the label:

Bifacial Standard Test Condition (BSTC) :

• Front irradiance: 1000 W/m²• Module temperature: 25°C
• Rear irradiance: 135 W/m²• Spectral irradiance: AM1.5G
• Equivalent irradiance: 1000 + φ·135 Rear Face
W/m²
 Additional requirements for testing and qualification of bifacial modules in accordance with IEC
61215 and IEC 61730 aim to address the higher currents seen in the field by bifacial modules.
 Preliminary results of bifacial modules were obtained for two modules types. No failure was recorded.
 Higher current application resulted in significantly higher temperatures (20-30°C) for the
bypass diode test and hot-spot test.
 Additional degradation is seen in TC200 test, but the results lack statistical significance.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Acknowledgements

 Mr. Yabin Li, Mr. Fan Wang and Dr. Jason Nee from Yingli Solar
 Mr. Thomas Guo and Dr. Jin Hao from Jinko Solar
 Dr. Thomas R. Betts from Loughborough University, UK

for the helpful discussions and data contribution.

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Acknowledgements

Participators

6/8/2018 Scientific Conference at SNEC 2018

Thank you for your attention!