Post-beakage-integrity of BIPV module in building regulation

The post-breakage-integrity of BIPV module is the one of the most critical measurement for the approval of the use of BIPV module in buildings; especially for overhead-glazing application. Up to now, only laminated glass with PVBinterlayer is accepted as laminated safety glass in a regulated building product list. With respect to higher operating temperature and alternative interlayer materials used in PV laminated glass (BIPV-modules), therefore, the mechanical behaviours of PV laminated glass will be changed compared to conventional laminated glass. The aim of this paper is to examine post-breakage-integrity behaviour of eleven BIPV modules with different module configurations; glass types, operating temperatures, interlayer types of EVA and PVB, with- and without solar cells, interlayer thickness and glass thickness. For the test procedure, the PV module was damaged by striking with external mechanical load. The applied load and load duration are 500 N/m² over 24 hours by flexible sand bags. A 2-side standard-conform line mounting was used. Due to different fracture behaviour of BIPV-laminated glass modules, two identical modules have been investigated in parallel. At room temperature, all specimens pass the test. Even PV module with glass-backsheet configuration is not allowed to be employed in overhead-glazing applications, it also passes the test. The glass configuration of heat-strengthened glass (TVG) has better behaviours compared to tempered safety glass (ESG), which is also in a good agreement with the regulation of DIN 18008. At high temperature, the trend of the results becomes negative compared to those at room temperature. There is no difference between EVA and PVB interlayers in PV modules without solar cell. The solar cells with certain interlayers could have a positive result. PV modules with thinner glass thickness could also pass the test, even though the stiffness of thinner laminated glasses is lower compared to that of thicker laminated glass.