Lifetime of PV Module in Tropical Climate using the Standard Testing Condition

PV modules play a vital role in electricity production, excelling in renewable energy, helping balance resource use and environmental sustainability on Earth. Global solar PV capacity exceeded 1 terawatt in 2022 and continues to expand through power plant and rooftop installations [1]. Monitoring PV systems in three climate types—arid, maritime, and alpine—reveals distinct degradation rates: 0.74%, 0.5%, and 0.3% per year, respectively [2]. In tropical climates like Thailand, PV system installations reached 3,939.8 MW over a decade [3]. Some case studies report an average module degradation rate of 1.47% per year over 15 years of operation [4], while others indicate a non-linear degradation trend after 10 years, with rates ranging from 2.5% to 3.0%. Degradation rates are utilized for the purpose of estimating the operational lifespan and forecasting the conclusion of PV system functionality. A data-driven method for forecasting the lifetime of PV systems has been introduced [5]. This contribution outlines a rigorous approach to estimate degradation and lifespan of PV modules under Performance at Standard Testing Condition (IEC 61215-2).