Impact of Microclimates and Partial Shading on Power Electronics Reliability in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in urban environments are exposed to highly variable conditions, including partial shading and fluctuating ambient temperatures caused by surrounding buildings and seasonal changes. These uneven irradiance patterns and elevated local temperatures lead to power fluctuations, while limited ventilation further accelerates thermal stress. In inverters and power optimisers, these stresses predominantly affect switching devices and capacitors, the most vulnerable components and major contributors to system failures. Despite the increasing adoption of BIPV, there is limited understanding of how microclimatic variations, partial shading, and ventilation collectively impact the degradation and lifetime of these critical power electronic components.

The research question is how microclimatic variations and partial shading in Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems influence the reliability and lifetime of power electronics, with a specific focus on switching devices and DC-link capacitors in photovoltaic converters.

This study will be addressed through 3D modelling of the BIPV installation (e.g., using SketchUp), performance and energy yield simulations within imec’s energy yield framework, detailed electrothermal modelling of the power electronics using PLECS and Simulink, and, where appropriate, finite element method (FEM)–based multiphysics simulations using tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics or ANSYS.

Master's degree: Master of Engineering Technology

Required educational background: Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical engineering, Energy

Duration: 12 months

University promotor: Michael Daenen (UHasselt)

For more information or application, please contact the supervising scientists Patrizio Manganiello (patrizio.manganiello@imec.be), Ismail Kaaya (ismail.kaaya@imec.be) and Sara Bouguerra (sara.bouguerra@imec.be).