Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method and/or a computer system for modeling the performance and lifetime of a photovoltaic module (PV). The method includes preparing a comprehensive finite element model; viscoelastic modeling of the encapsulant material of the PV; and orthotropic modeling of the silicon cells of the PV. It also includes carrying out the finite element model by including the predicted time to crack initiation due to temperature; and analyzing the temperature cycling fatigue of copper interconnects in the PV module, and analyzing the PV module under variable mechanical environmental stresses including temperature and sun exposure. Meteorological data are used for modeling the variable environmental stresses.