{"id":137949,"key":"Online_Diagnostics_as_a_First_Step_in_the_Safe_Use_of_Damaged_Photovoltaic_Modules","title":"Online Diagnostics as a First Step in the Safe Use of Damaged Photovoltaic Modules","latest":{"id":1274160,"timestamp":"2026-09-16T16:07:26Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{Solar footer}}\n\n{{FAST notice}}\n\n[[File:Brokenpv.png|thumb]]\n\n{{Publication data\n| type = Paper\n| year = 2026\n| cite-as = Marcelo Esposito, Gabriela Mesquita Bruel, Ana Belén Cristóbal López, Joshua M. Pearce, and Oumaima Mesbahi. Online Diagnostics as a First Step in the Safe Use of Damaged Photovoltaic Modules. ''Sustainability'' 2026, 18, 1948. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18041948 [https://www.academia.edu/164650062/Online_Diagnostics_as_a_First_Step_in_the_Safe_Use_of_Damaged_Photovoltaic_Modules OA academia]\n}}\n\nAlthough solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a well-known sustainable energy source, as glass-on-glass bifacial modules have dominated the market during the rapid scaling of the PV industry, glass breakage has become an environmental concern. This study explores the reuse of broken modules to further improve PV sustainability through case studies of 3.45 MWp and 1.4 MWp solar farms, comprising over 12,700 modules. After cleaning and testing, 1.45% of PV modules were physically damaged due to glass breakage during transport or handling at the solar farms in Brazil. Recycling of PV modules is infrequent; therefore, the reuse of modules under these conditions was explored. Nine modules with glass damage were connected to the electricity grid using a carport-type structure, and 36 diagnostic current–voltage (I-V) tests were carried out over an 18-month experimental period. Tests to detect faults and low system insulation resistance indicated that the implementation of non-invasive, remote, online, and periodic monitoring enabled the system to operate and enabled the reuse of damaged modules. Although the electrical results were promising, future work is needed to evaluate methods to ensure the broken glass is sealed to prevent electric shock hazards and to maintain long-term safe performance.\n\n \n\n{{Pearce publications notice}}\n\n \n\n== See also ==\n\n* [[Producer responsibility and recycling solar photovoltaic modules]]\n* [[Design of Post-Consumer Modification of Standard Solar Modules to Form Large-Area Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Roof Slates]]\n* [[Streamlining structural engineering compliance of rooftop solar photovoltaic installations using an open-source approach]]\n* [[Is small or big solar better for the environment? Comparative life cycle assessment of solar photovoltaic rooftop vs. ground‑mounted systems]]\n\n \n\n \n\n{{Page data\n| keywords = Solar energy, Regulatory compliance, energy, solar energy, solar power, photovoltaics, Rooftop solar, FAST Completed, recycling, glass, photovoltaic, transport, sustainable reuse, sustainable energy\n| sdg = SDG07 Affordable and clean energy, SDG09 Industry innovation and infrastructure, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production\n| published = 2026\n| organizations = Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology, Western\n| license = CC-BY-SA-4.0\n| language = en\n}}\n\n[[Category:Energy]]\n[[Category:photovoltaics]]\n[[Category:FAST Completed]]"}