CA16235 - Performance and Reliability of Photovoltaic Systems: Evaluations of Large-Scale Monitoring Data (PEARL-PV)

The aim of this COST Action is to improve the energy performance and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems in Europe leading to lower costs of electricity produced by PV systems by a higher energy yield, a longer life time eventually beyond the guaranteed 20 years as specified by manufacturers, and a reduction in the perceived risk in investments in PV projects. This objective will be achieved by analyzing data of the actual monitored long-term performance, defects and failures in PV systems installed all over Europe to quantitatively determine the absolute influences of components rated performance, key design of systems, installation, operation, maintenance practice, geographic location and weather factors on the performance, performance degradation over time and failure modes of these PV systems.

Despite the rapidly growing market of PV systems, so far a COST Action on PV systems’ performance and reliability has not been established. On the other hand it is very important to ensure the performance of PV systems to achieve long term goals for PV systems in the future single energy market such as: economic viability, securing investments, environmental sustainability and security and predictability of supply.

Our aim is particularly suited to a COST Action as it entails the formation of an inclusive network of PV system researchers, data resources that will be analyzed by researchers, forming the largest-ever agglomeration of PV systems performance data in Europe, and experts that can include more-nuanced evidence-based reliability in PV system evaluation methods and simulation and design tools.