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Request for Information: Physics of Reliability Photovoltaics Technology
Open Date: 04/10/2012
Close Date: 04/24/2012
Funding Organization: SunShot Initiative
Funding Number: DE-SOL-0003956
Summary:
The DOE SunShot Initiative seeks feedback from industry, national laboratories, and members of academia relating to the physics of reliability in photovoltaic (PV) devices. The wide diversity of deployment conditions for PV systems leads to a variety of failure mechanisms that require physics-based modeling for improved understanding and prevention.
PV modules are exposed to severe operating conditions involving temperature, thermal cycling, UV radiation, humidity, environmental weathering, electrical, and other stresses. Limited understanding exists on the fundamental degradation mechanisms and the service life for materials, such as encapsulants, solders, interconnections, and semiconductor layers, under single or combined stress conditions.
This request for information seeks to identify PV failure mechanisms that could improve the testing, design, and bankability of solar energy products.
For more information, see the full solicitation.
Additional Information:
Questions may be sent to PhysicsOfReliability@ee.doe.gov with the subject line “Question” before 5 p.m. EDT, April 17, 2012.
Last updated: 04/12/2012
Funding amounts and schedules are subject to change.