Are polycrystalline solar cells susceptible to damage or degradation after experiencing multiple thermal expansion and contraction?

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Are polycrystalline solar cells susceptible to damage or degradation after experiencing multiple thermal expansion and contraction?

The damage or degradation that polycrystalline solar cells are prone to after experiencing multiple thermal expansion and contraction is actually closely related to the characteristics of their structure and materials. Since solar cells absorb solar radiation to generate heat during the day, when the temperature drops sharply at night or on cloudy days, there will be significant temperature differences on the surface of the cells. This thermal stress causes the expansion and contraction of the cell materials, which increases the mechanical load in its long-term use, which may cause material fatigue, cracking or other structural damage.
In particular, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, although they have high conversion efficiency and low manufacturing costs, have poor heat resistance compared to monocrystalline silicon cells due to their complex and irregular silicon crystal structure. With repeated thermal expansion and contraction, polycrystalline silicon materials may develop microcracks, and even form larger cracks under long-term use. These cracks not only affect the photoelectric conversion efficiency, but may also affect the electrical connection and circuit disconnection of the cell, causing the cell to fail or degrade under extreme temperature changes.
The packaging materials and external glass layers of polycrystalline solar cells are also affected by temperature differences. Although modern solar cells use improved packaging technology and strengthened glass to enhance heat resistance, excessive thermal stress can still cause cracking of the glass or shedding of the packaging layer, increasing the risk of contamination and moisture penetration on the cell surface. This physical damage directly affects the power generation efficiency of the cell and may lead to more serious electrical failures.
In order to deal with these problems, many high-quality multicrystalline solar cell manufacturers have begun to use materials with matching thermal expansion coefficients to reduce the impact of thermal stress on the cell. In addition, with the continuous advancement of technology, there are also some new materials, such as thin-film solar cells, which have strong tolerance to thermal stress and can better adapt between high and low temperatures, reducing potential problems caused by thermal expansion and contraction.
Even so, when using multicrystalline solar cells, environmental factors still have an important impact on their durability. In extreme climatic conditions, the service life of solar cells may be affected, so when choosing an installation location, priority should be given to areas with small temperature differences. In addition, regular cleaning and inspection can also help to detect possible microcracks or other structural problems, and take measures to repair or replace them as soon as possible to ensure the long-term and efficient operation of the battery.