TY  - JOUR
VL  - 168B
EP  - 57
ID  - eprints3614
SP  - 40
N2  - A numerical approach based on the finite element method to assess the impact of cracks in Silicon solar cells on the electric response of photovoltaic modules is proposed. A global coarse-scale finite element model of the composite laminate is used for carrying out the structural analysis. The computed displacements at the edges of each solar cell are passed via a projection scheme as boundary conditions to a 3D local fine-scale finite element model of the cells which accounts for cohesive cracks. The evaluated crack opening displacements along the crack faces are finally used as input to an electric model characterizing the grid line/solar cell ensemble. The identification of the relation between the localized electric resistance due to cracks and the crack opening, to be used as a constitutive model of cracks, is finally discussed in reference to experimental tests performed in the laboratory.
A1  - Paggi, Marco
A1  - Corrado, Mauro
A1  - Berardone, Irene
PB  - Elsevier
SN  - 0013-7944
UR  - http://eprints.imtlucca.it/3614/
JF  - Engineering Fracture Mechanics
TI  - A global/local approach for the prediction of the electric response of cracked solar cells in photovoltaic modules under the action of mechanical loads
AV  - none
Y1  - 2016/12/01/
ER  -