01/27/12
TULiPPS reveals test results on 500Wp PV prototype
Prototype solar modules demonstrate exceptional break resistance in exploratory testing
TULiPPS Solar today revealed the findings of exploratory testing on their 120-cell/500-Wp prototype COSMOS solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Independent solar-module testing and certification organization Kiwa conducted exploratory testing of two 120-cell/500-Wp prototype modules. The TULiPPS prototype PV modules differ from typical commercially used modules, not only for their unusual size and design features, but moreover because of the use of ultra-thin, ultra-clear toughened solar glass, tempered on equipment developed by LiSEC Group and formulated by Ducatt.
While half the thickness of glass used on typical commercial modules, the 2mm glass proved exceptionally durable, demonstrating a level of break resistance not previously seen in solar modules subject to aggressive international test protocols.
To evaluate module durability and better understand limitations of the face glass that protects underlying PV cells plus the composites-intensive frameless support system, a two-day preliminary investigation was conducted. Tests were modified slightly to select the most severe settings available.
One module was subjected to the Module Breakage Test in which a 46 kg ball is suspended above and at a distance from the module and then released. The test is designed to break the module (simulating a worker falling onto it during installation or maintenance) with the goal of seeing how the glass fractures and the size pieces it breaks into after impact. During normal certification testing, the ball is dropped from the lowest of three height settings; if the module survives, then it is impacted again from the next highest setting, and so forth. For the TULiPPS module, the test was started at the most severe height of 122 cm yet the unit showed no damage. Because that result was so exceptional, the test was repeated twice more at the same height and the impact location. Despite three hits at maximum impact, the module retained 95% of its original output, which is something Kiwa had never seen before.
A second COSMOS module was subjected to the Hail Impact Test in which a unit is bombarded with 25mm, 7.5 g ice balls from a distance of 0.5 m at specific target locations. For the TULiPPS module, impact energies 5x-higher than certification testing levels were used on locations considered to be most severe, yet there was no damage to glass or underlying solar cells and the module retained 100% of its initial electrical output.
Results suggest the modules can sustain even higher impact energies and that the COSMOS PV technology is well positioned to set new standards for lightweight and large solar PV modules.
TULiPPS Founder and Managing Director Paul Stassen, also the inventor of the technology platform used on the company’s patent-pending COSMOS™ frameless solar PV modules, was pleased to learn that Kiwa was unable to break TULiPPS’ new 120-cell/500-watt-peak prototype modules. “You have confidence in a technology and believe it will work as you have designed it, but you can’t be sure until and unless you test it. Only then do you find out if all your plans and assumptions were correct or completely inadequate”, Stassen commented.
