The Impact of Cracks in BIPV Modules on Power Outputs: A Case Study Based on Measured and Simulated Data

Crack issues afflicting a building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system are major concerns in terms of the system’s maintenance and power degradation. Although there may be many circumstances that bring about cracks BIPV modules during installation process, identifying degradation PV module efficiency resulting from effects tends to very difficult task unless actual indoor or outdoor tests detailed electroluminescence imaging conducted. Many current studies have demonstrated not impact output performance depending on damage levels where is located. For applications such as replacement for materials, still lack information case addressing crack quantitative manner evaluating performance. Therefore, objectives this study investigate outputs identify relationships between based experimental simulated analysis. An facility located Daejeon, South Korea, was used gather data cracked non-cracked modules. By using field-measured facility’ information, simulation model developed SolarPro software, simulated-based analysis conducted evaluate values after proper validation model. The results reveal exhibit significant modules’ up 43% reduction period. From annual comparative results, degradations 34.6–35.4% were estimated when included cracks. As result, could carefully addressed occurring process.