PhD student for a physics-based model for irreversible degradation prediction of PV modules

Background
The evolution of technology and materials in PV module manufacturing over the past three decades has been rapid. Alongside this progress, manufacturers now offer products with intricate warranty terms, typically including a 12-year (or longer) Product Workmanship Warranty and a 25-year (or longer) Power Warranty. The latter warranty comprises an initial degradation step, expressed as a percentage of the initial rated power, followed by a linear annual degradation rate. Furthermore, installing PV modules in diverse locations and climates impacts their degradation rates and operational performance, especially the energy yield of a PV system over time.
Solar modules are deployed across various applications, from large-scale PV power plants in hot desert climates to offshore systems floating at sea. Consequently, operational solar modules are subjected to various environmental stressors, leading to multiple concurrent degradation processes. Numerous models have been developed to predict the resulting decline in solar module performance. Some models focus on degradation caused by individual processes, while others address the cumulative effect of multiple processes. The latter type, often empirical in nature, directly correlates the performance degradation rate of a solar module to time or easily measurable stress factors like ambient air temperature or relative humidity. Such models are particularly valuable for forecasting the degradation of specific systems with known performance and ambient parameters over several years. On the other hand, models simulating single degradation processes tend to be more physics-oriented, aiming to capture the kinetics of actual degradation mechanisms and their relationship with ambient factors through measurable parameters with physical significance. However, many of these physics-based models rely on fitting coefficients associated with a combination of physical material properties rather than the properties themselves. Integrating physics into the model diminishes its reliance on training data and yields more universally applicable estimates, which is advantageous for optimising module design or evaluating degradation in novel applications.

Job content
At imo-imomec, ensuring the physical soundness of our PV system performance modelling framework is a primary design objective. Consequently, we aim to simulate module degradation using physics-based models. The objective of this PhD thesis project is to develop models for the most significant degradation processes and integrate them into the existing framework. Each degradation model will specifically apply stress factors' effects to PV module electrical performance parameters directly affected by those factors. The link of the stress factors to their effects will be established by relevant Finite Element Method simulations whenever feasible, which will be based on measurable material properties and controllable design parameters to additionally facilitate sensitivity analysis and design optimization.
Throughout this PhD project, the candidate will need to comprehensively understand the occurrence and impact of various degradation processes, existing models for modelling these processes, and the underlying physics. Based on this understanding, the candidate will formulate initial hypotheses, which will be tested through laboratory and field experiments. The findings will then be used to develop final models, validated using extensive historical datasets collected at imo-imomec or our partner “TotalEnergies One Tech”. Ultimately, the aim is to contribute to the ongoing enhancement of PV system performance modelling and degradation prediction.
Tagline: Develop physics-based models for predicting the degradation of solar modules to support UHasselt and imec’s module design and yield prediction activities.

Type of work: 20% literature review, 20% model development, 35% experimental work, 15% dissemination of results, 10% software implementation.
Location: This position will be at the EnergyVille Campus in Genk, where you will have direct access to state-of-the-art lab infrastructure and the opportunity to collaborate with experts working on PV technology and PV energy systems.

Profile

• You have a master's degree in Physics, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering. (or equivalent)
  Final-year students are (likewise) encouraged to apply.
• You have experience in optoelectrical characterisation and modelling or programming (C++, Matlab, Python);
• You have excellent reporting skills and can present scientific results (publications, conferences, seminars);
• You can easily integrate in an international team. Very good English communication skills are required;
• You have knowledge of device physics and experience in the domain. Being acquainted with photovoltaics fundamentals is an asset. You show a problem-solving attitude and a strong desire to stay up-to-date with recent advancements;
• You can work independently and are eager to take initiative and responsibility;
• You are motivated to contribute to the didactic and outreach tasks of the faculty of Engineering Technology and you can arouse students' enthusiasm;
• The research will be performed in collaboration with (and partly at) the University of Gent. Therefore, an (international) driver's license is an asset.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
Scholarship for 2 x 2 years, after positive intermediate evaluation.

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 09 October 2024.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.
All interested applicants are required to submit an application package including but not limited to: 1. Motivation letter, 2. CV and 3. A self-written scientific text of 1-2 pages, describing the most common photovoltaic module degradation modes for current technologies.

Further information
Prof. dr. ir. Michael DAENEN, +32-11-268887, michael.daenen@uhasselt.be

For questions about the selection procedure, please email jobs@uhasselt.be.