PID: from material properties to outdoor performance and quality control counter measures

Abstract

Although the main root causes and referring counter measures for PID are known, a significant part of the industrial modules are still found to be PID sensitive in testing and PID is increasingly evident in field. This paper discusses field occurrence of PID with respect to environmental conditions and material properties. Different PID pattern in field and in test are analyzed in terms of the potential distribution and surface conductivity. Examples are given for the correlation of PID lab tests of a (commercial) BOM with real outdoor degradation. PID progress is predicted for different locations and compared with measurement data. Suitable quality control measures are discussed for the modules as well as for the encapsulation material