A new global study by engineers at UNSW Sydney has highlighted potential challenges for the manufacturing of next-generation solar panels, showing that ultraviolet (UV) radiation could reduce panel lifespans by up to 10 years in some regions.
Researchers developed a high-precision global model to calculate UV exposure for solar panels based on climate, atmospheric conditions, and mounting configuration, as revealed in a news release. 
It noted that the work provides the first comprehensive comparison of UV radiation for fixed-tilt versus sun-tracking solar systems, offering manufacturers a clearer picture of long-term durability.
“Modules with similar technology and orientation can still exhibit region-specific degradation,” the study notes. “This underscores the need for climate-specific indoor testing and accelerated tests for reliability and better lifetime predictions.” 
The findings suggest UV photodegradation alone may account for nearly a quarter of annual degradation in monocrystalline silicon modules in high-UV regions.
The study also highlights that panels on tracking systems, which follow the sun, receive significantly higher UV exposure than fixed-tilt installations. 
“They’re always trying to track the sun to catch the maximum amount of sunlight. That means they’re also getting the maximum UV on top of them, which makes those panels more susceptible and vulnerable,” said Dr?Shukla Poddar, lead author of the research.
According to the university, current international testing standards require solar modules to endure UV exposure equivalent to 15 kilowatt-hours per square metre. 
The UNSW study shows that in high-irradiance locations such as Alice Springs, Australia, panels can reach this threshold in just over a month, suggesting that existing standards may underestimate real-world exposure.
Dr?Poddar added, “With new high-efficiency PV technologies being rolled out so quickly, we need to ensure the standards reflect real-world conditions. Our modelling tool helps manufacturers and developers make better-informed decisions before installation.”
The research, supervised by Prof.?Bram Hoex and A.?Prof.?Merlinde Kay, with contributions from Dr?Phillip Hamer and Mr?Shuo Liu, was published in the IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics and is intended to support more resilient solar panel manufacturing and deployment worldwide.
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