Italy’s first publicly funded BIPV project, installed in 2001, has undergone a long-term reliability assessment by a group of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan. Their analysis has revealed that the system, which consists of 150 polycrystalline photovoltaic panels, has largely performed well over its 20-year operating life, with only one panel experiencing a severe fault that led to a complete loss of functionality.
The full findings of this research study can be found in the paper titled “Long-term reliability of photovoltaic c-Si modules – A detailed assessment based on the first Italian BIPV project,” published in Solar Energy, where the scientists discussed the key features and performance of the PV modules and outlined the main effects of long-term operating conditions.
The researchers also highlighted some challenges encountered during the project, such as waterproofing issues leading to water infiltration and the loss of functionality in the north-facing skylights. Despite these challenges, the system has proven to be resilient and relatively efficient.
This comprehensive assessment involved an on-field inspection, infrared camera analysis, and laboratory tests, ultimately providing valuable insights into the long-term performance and durability of BIPV systems. It has shed light on common issues such as delamination and chalking, with around 12% of the modules showing limited delamination and the rest experiencing this deterioration to a greater extent.
