Resilience of Photovoltaic Systems in the Face of Extreme Weather Challenges

Where is the “Resilience” of Photovoltaics Under Extreme Weather?

The rapid pace of global climate warming is reshaping the Earth’s ecosystems faster than expected. According to recent data from the World Meteorological Organization, the average global temperature in 2024 is projected to be 1.55 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature recorded between 1850 and 1900, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. While only a few regions experienced a decline in average temperatures last year, extreme weather events have caused severe destruction worldwide. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are now facing challenges from hail, gusts, and other extreme conditions.

To address these challenges, PV companies are building multi-dimensional defense systems. Recently, Trina Solar introduced a solution designed for extreme weather conditions, including hail, strong winds, and heavy snow, to maximize the protection of PV assets.

According to Zhang Yingbin, head of strategy, product, and market at Trina Solar, the future development of the photovoltaic industry requires a shift from a manufacturing mindset to a systems thinking approach, moving from singularity to systemic solutions. Achieving differentiated development through innovative models is crucial to overcoming intense competition and enhancing overall value.

From Passive Responses to Proactive Strategies

In 2024, the global photovoltaic power generation capacity is expected to increase by approximately 530 gigawatts (GW), with centralized photovoltaics remaining the primary contributor. In China, the new installed capacity for centralized photovoltaics reached 159.39 GW last year, accounting for 57.4% of total capacity. Due to their large size and land requirements, centralized PV systems are significantly impacted by extreme weather.

Data from GCube Insurance, a renewable energy insurance company, indicates that from 2018 to 2023, there was a 280% increase in climate-related claims across 40 countries, covering over 100 GW of clean energy projects. Hail damage accounted for 54% of these claims, followed by strong winds at 23% and heavy snow at 15%. Traditional photovoltaic products are struggling to cope with the new climate norms. Recent monitoring has shown that regions with substantial centralized PV projects, such as the North American Great Plains, frequently experience super hailstones larger than 40 millimeters in diameter and exceeding speeds of 30 meters per second.

Notably, approximately 70% of damaged PV modules were struck by hailstones larger than 3 centimeters in diameter, a size that has become three times more likely to occur in climate models compared to ten years ago. Climate risks are reshaping the global PV landscape. The humid environment of the Brazilian rainforest, the freeze-thaw cycles in Northern Europe, salt mist corrosion in Australia, heavy snowfall in the Arctic Circle, and sandstorm risks in the Middle East are just a few examples of how various regions are affected by extreme weather, leading to increasingly diverse demands for PV applications.

Zhang Yingbin stated, “Photovoltaic applications are becoming more widespread globally, with different countries facing various extreme weather disasters based on their geographic coordinates. Ordinary PV modules experience significant wear and are more susceptible to damage from extreme weather such as hail, heavy snow, and typhoons.” He further emphasized that the PV industry previously selected installation sites passively based on climate conditions to avoid regions prone to heavy snowfall and hail. However, if solutions to extreme weather challenges are implemented, it will allow for proactive site selection and installation, thereby expanding the potential for future PV power plants.

Moreover, as global demand for green electricity rises, even remote areas and countries prone to typhoons and hailstorms will have clear needs for PV installations. Given the increasing severity of extreme weather conditions, effective responses and solutions are essential for future PV power plants.

To this end, Zhang Yingbin proposed that the PV industry is fully transitioning to a solution-based approach, guided by specific scenarios. When single products can no longer meet new environmental conditions, upgrades are necessary at the strategic and solution levels.

Advanced Components, Smart Tracking Systems, and Powerful Algorithms Drive Innovation

How can systems thinking enhance the safety levels of large centralized photovoltaic projects? Zhang Yingbin explained, “By employing advanced components and a smart tracking system to respond to extreme weather.” This dual approach begins with hardware. PV mounts serve as the “skeleton” of the PV system, while the modules act as the “skin.” As precise devices covering the steel framework, PV modules perform critical functions similar to human skin, such as sensing sunlight, absorbing energy, and resisting environmental degradation. Robust protection of these “power generation organs” is essential.

“We have reinforced the glass thickness and frame design, with the glass thickness of our advanced components increased by 25%. This enhances the energy impact resistance by 2.5 times compared to traditional modules, significantly improving the mechanical load performance of the PV modules to withstand extreme weather conditions,” Zhang Yingbin noted.

Additionally, having smart tracking mounts and powerful algorithms is crucial. Trina Solar’s smart tracking system is equipped with the industry’s first mount-level intelligent cloud, featuring self-developed controllers (TCU and NCU) that integrate various extreme weather protection strategies. By utilizing monitoring data from the smart cloud platform, the system enables automatic protection of the PV plant.

Zhang Yingbin elaborated, “In simple terms, our solutions include sensors that monitor wind speed in real-time and apply relevant strategies based on wind conditions. During windy seasons, the angle of the PV modules can be adjusted to align parallel with the wind, significantly reducing the impact force on the modules.”

He added, “When heavy snow accumulates on the PV modules, it could prevent them from generating electricity, especially during prolonged snow periods when they may not function throughout the winter. Typically, maintenance personnel are required to clear the snow, which incurs high labor and time costs. Our sensors can measure the snow thickness and upload the data to the platform. When the thickness reaches a certain point, the maintenance personnel can simply press a button to adjust the module angle, effectively removing the snow and ensuring power generation.”

Simulation tests indicate that at a 100 MW large centralized PV plant in Texas, the damage rate of traditional products approaches 100% when hailstones reach 65 mm in size. The extreme weather solutions can withstand hailstones up to 55 mm in diameter and can protect against hailstones up to 75 mm at a 60-degree tilt, potentially reducing annual PV asset losses by 94%.

Trina Solar’s extreme weather solutions follow the introduction of the Shago Desert Base solution, representing another scenario-based approach. Zhang Yingbin affirmed that Trina Solar remains customer-centric and solution-oriented, aiming to develop comprehensive solutions in the future. “In response to the strong demand for electricity and zero-carbon power, we will create a new integrated development model that combines product, system, comprehensive, and smart energy solutions, integrating hardware and software products, systems, services, and business models to build a green, low-carbon energy supply system for end users.”