ReNewPV
The ReNewPV project centers on the development of lifetime-extending coating solutions for the backsheets of PV modules. The focus is on a protective coating to restore the insulation resistance and on the repair of cracked or mechanically damaged backsheets.
Motivation and Goals
Extending the lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) modules is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. As PV becomes more and more established as a renewable source of electricity, it is crucial that PV modules can generate electricity reliably over a long lifetime and are sustainable from an energy, environmental and investment perspective. One approach to this is the introduction of new PV technologies with increased performance and service life. A second approach is to significantly extend the lifetime of existing PV modules by reusing, repairing or refurbishing them. While recycling is the standard strategy for end-of-life PV modules in Europe, strategies and methods for reuse and repair are still emerging.
However, the repair of early damage in particular, but also of faults after a long period of operation, is often economically advantageous. Damage to the backsheet, which along with glass breakage and cell degradation is one of the most common causes of module failure, already showed a high repair potential in the previous project “PVRe2”.
Main Goals
The main objective of the project is to develop an environmentally friendly coating solution for the repair of backsheets (to extend the service life) of PV modules.
- Solutions are being developed for the following three scenarios:
- Scenario 1: (Preventive) restoration of the insulation resistance of PV modules
- Scenario 2: Repair of defective backsheets (cracks)
- Scenario 3: Repair of transportation and assembly rejects (mechanical damage to backsheets)
- A further objective is to research and develop business models for an efficient repair infrastructure, i.e. an optimized application methodology and logistics for the coating according to the three scenarios mentioned above.
- Approach 1: Local application to mounted PV modules in the field (“spray can”)
- Approach 2: Centralized, automated coating of dismantled PV modules (“2nd Life PV”) in the field (mobile container with coating system) or an external facility.
Objectives and Approach
The procedure for achieving the objectives is
- to determine the repair requirements of the PV installations and identify production and transportation damage (modules with damaged backsheets from real aged modules and scrap modules)
- in the analytical methodology for determining the material type and composition of the backsheets. Based on this, the repair solutions are developed in a further step
- in the development of repair solutions after carrying out a raw material screening based on the requirements of the application and the performance criteria of the coating
- repairing the cracks in a two-stage coating application process, i.e. for filling the cracks on the one hand and for the protective coating on the other.
„The “ReNewPV” project raises awareness that repairs can be a valuable alternative to purchasing new PV modules.“
Funding Body
The project is funded by Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) as part of the call for proposals of the “Ausschreibung Kreislaufwirtschaft - Energie- und Umwelttechnologie 2023”. The program is managed by the FFG (project number FO999912440).
