Preliminary Analysis of Solar Cell Interconnections Welding Parameters Using Design of Experiments for Future Optimization

Abstract

One of the processes that determine the reliability of solar panels used in space applications is the welding of interconnections between two adjacent solar cells. This process has various technologies, sequences and activities that have various characteristics, factors and parameters. Their combinations and values allow countless possibilities, making their adjustments time consuming, costly and exhausting. One way of abbreviating this, achieving competitiveness and meeting the needs of stakeholders is through the Analysis and Design of Experiments. This technique helps in optimizing the best adjustments to obtain the expected results. Thus, this paper presents a preliminary analysis of the parameters and their interactions of the welding process (by parallel-gap resistance welding) of interconnections between solar cells using design of experiments. In this welding process, the cell undergoes a certain level of degradation. For this reason, it is important to determine which process parameters are important and their proper levels, without big cell degradation. The result of this analysis can be used in the future to optimize the welding process meeting the design requirements for reliability and performance.