Numerical Analysis of Bifacial Photovoltaic Panels Subjected to Repeated Loading

This study investigates the mechanical response of bifacial glass-glass photovoltaic modules subjected to snow-type loading, with a particular focus on the influence of silicon cell spacing on global deformation and local stress distributions in the silicon cell layer and the adhesive layer. Five computational finite element models were developed which explicitly represent all laminate layers and discrete cell layout. The numerical results are interpreted within the framework of partial interaction and shear transfer between the glass plies and are validated against previously obtained home conducted experimental observations. The results demonstrate that a silicon cell layout has a pronounced effect on local tensile stresses in silicon cells and on the curvature distribution within the laminate, while its influence on the global kinematic response is less critical. The numerical analysis indicates that the relative displacements between the glass layers resulting from the flexibility of the adhesive bond play a critical role.