Today, photovoltaic modules are expected to have a service life of at least 20 years. The subject of Dr Voswinckel's research was the development of accelerated ageing processes in order to be able to make more precise predictions about the influence of weather conditions and electrical loads on the service life of photovoltaic modules. Specifically, thin-film modules made of copper indium/gallium selenide were analysed. However, the findings can also be transferred to other module types.

The doctorate was carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at TU Dresden. The work was supervised by Prof Dr Viktor Wesselak from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements, the doctoral committee has proposed to the faculty's doctoral committee that he be awarded the degree "summa cum laude".

Dr Sebastian Voswinckel works at the Institute for Regenerative Energy Technology (in.RET) at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and will continue to work on photovoltaic systems and their integration into the energy system in the future.

PM 48/2019