Fire safety of solar modules: Why AIKO ABC looks beyond efficiency
Summer may officially be behind us, but rising temperatures across Europe remain an important consideration for the PV sector. Higher ambient temperatures also lead to higher module temperatures. At the same time, solar modules are exposed to heat, partial shading and mechanical stress for many years. For installers, choosing the right module is therefore not only about power output and efficiency, but also about safety and reliability.
Reducing hotspots with a cell-level bypass function
One important safety consideration for solar modules is the formation of hotspots. These can occur when part of a solar cell is shaded. Because the cells are electrically interconnected, electrical energy can be converted into heat locally, causing temperatures to rise significantly. AIKO ABC solar cells therefore feature a bypass diode-like function at cell level.
When part of the cell is shaded, the architecture provides alternative current paths that route the current around the affected area. This prevents electrical stress and power dissipation from becoming highly concentrated in one location. As a result, excessive hotspot temperatures can be suppressed. Under relevant operating conditions, AIKO states that hotspot temperatures remain below 100°C. In tests conducted by TÜV Rheinland, the measured hotspot temperatures were also more than 35% lower than those of the tested TOPCon modules.
Copper interconnections reduce risks caused by microcracks
Hotspots can also occur as a result of microcracks. A second safety advantage of ABC technology therefore lies in the construction of the solar cell. Instead of conventional metallisation using silver paste and glass frit, AIKO uses pure copper grid lines that are directly bonded to the silicon wafer. This copper interconnection technology increases the mechanical strength and toughness of the solar cell. As a result, the cells are more resistant to microcracks, reducing the associated risk of hotspot formation. With ABC technology, fire safety therefore begins with the construction of the cell itself.
TÜV certification and Class A fire rating
The safety performance of AIKO ABC goes beyond reducing hotspots. ABC modules are the first PV modules worldwide to receive TÜV Rheinland’s ‘PV Module Anti-Ignition Hazard’ certification.
The modules also provide protection when exposed to an external fire source. AIKO ABC dual-glass modules achieve a Class A fire rating. During the IEC reference test, the modules were exposed to a flame at 760°C for 10 minutes without fire spreading. By comparison, the tested TOPCon modules achieved a Class C rating.
Safety as part of module selection
Efficiency and power output remain important factors when selecting solar modules. But as PV systems are expected to perform under increasingly demanding conditions, thermal safety, fire resistance and reliability are becoming increasingly important.
AIKO ABC combines high performance with technology that helps reduce hotspot formation, as well as a Class A fire rating. This gives installers an additional argument when safety plays an important role alongside energy yield.
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