BackgroundUnderstanding the population structure of Plasmodium species through genetic diversity studies can assist in the design of more effective malaria control strategies, particularly in vaccine development. Central America is an area where malaria is a public health problem, but little is known about the genetic diversity of the parasite’s circulating species. This study aimed to investigate the allelic frequency and molecular diversity of five surface antigens in field isolates from Honduras.MethodsFive molecular markers were analysed to determine the genotypes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum from endemic areas in Honduras. Genetic diversity of ama-1, msp-1 and csp was investigated for P. vivax, and msp-1 and msp-2 for P. falciparum. Allelic frequencies were calculated and sequence analysis performed.Results and conclusionA high genetic diversity was observed within Plasmodium isolates from Honduras. A different number of genotypes were elucidated: 41 (n = 77) for pvama-1; 23 (n = 84) for pvcsp; and 23 (n = 35) for pfmsp-1. Pvcsp sequences showed VK210 as the only subtype present in Honduran isolates. Pvmsp-1 (F2) was the most polymorphic marker for P. vivax isolates while pvama-1 was least variable. All three allelic families described for pfmsp-1 (n = 30) block 2 (K1, MAD20, and RO33), and both allelic families described for the central domain of pfmsp-2 (n = 11) (3D7 and FC27) were detected. However, K1 and 3D7 allelic families were predominant. All markers were randomly distributed across the country and no geographic correlation was found. To date, this is the most complete report on molecular characterization of P. vivax and P. falciparum field isolates in Honduras with regards to genetic diversity. These results indicate that P. vivax and P. falciparum parasite populations are highly diverse in Honduras despite the low level of transmission.

This article presents a specific procedure to control the standard test conditions (STC) power in photovoltaic (PV) modules. It also shows the results of its application on a supply of approximately 700 000 multicrystalline p‐type silicon BSF technology PV modules made by a worldwide known manufacturer (Tier‐1, Q4 2015). First, during the manufacturing process, the analysis of the STC power measurements of the whole supply carried out by the modules' manufacturer is included, where the quality of these measurements was evaluated through a comparative contrast study in an independent laboratory on a sample of 4000 modules. In addition, the light‐induced degradation (LID) on 180 modules and the resistance to the potential induced degradation (PID) in a sample of 125 modules were characterized and critically analyzed. Secondly, during operation phase, the analysis of the STC power after the first 2 years of operation of the modules in desert conditions was also included. These measurements were carried out on a sample of 2000 modules making use of an accredited mobile laboratory. The overall results showed the effectiveness of the implementation of the aforementioned procedure, which is based on the use of a set of reference modules (primary standards) with common calibration origin. It proved to be an effective way of reducing uncertainties all along the quality control process. The susceptibility to PID, as observed on the PID test (chamber method) specified in IEC TS 62804, was practically negligible, and the average LID degradation after 20 kWh/m2 of exposition to the sun was 1.5%. Finally, the degradation rate in the second year of operation was 0.32% with respect to the initial degradation occurred during the whole first year.

The screen-printing method is an economical metallization technique used by most manufacturers of conventional silicon solar cells. This method limits the cells' use under concentrated light owing to high series resistance losses caused, among other reasons, by low metal density in the fingers. This paper describes increasing the finger metal density by electrolytic deposition. The electrolytic deposition of silver is an economical, controllable and readily commercializable deposition method to reduce the front and back metallization series resistance contributions. With an optimized grid design, compatible with 1 sun silicon cell technology, and later electrolytic silver deposition we have obtained cells that maintain their efficiency up to 15 suns. In addition, an analysis of the performance of these cells under uniform and nonuniform illumination were carried out on n þ p and n þ pn þ structures. ResearchFigure 10. I-V curve of different concentration levels of a B-type cell under uniform (continuous line) and under non-uniform light (broken line) Figure 11. Efficiency-concentration curve of a B-type cell under uniform and non-uniform light 330 J. COELLO ET AL.

This paper presents the design, development and results obtained with a mobile laboratory: the PV Mobile Lab. With the development of this powerful tool, Enertis Solar is the first IEC 17025 accredited laboratory capable of performing on-site test in PV modules. The PV Mobile Lab is designed to perform the following tests: visual inspection, Peak Power determination in STC, electrical insulation, IR Thermography and electroluminescence imaging. The design of the mobile laboratory ensures the reliability of the results as if conducted in a conventional laboratory. Its innovative design based on an expandable system has allowed us to implement a solar simulator of tunnel type (illuminated area 2x2 m2 and lamp -DUT distance 5.5 m) in a vehicle that weights less than 3,500 kg. The spectral, temporal and spatial (non-uniformity) stability of the simulator remain within the parameters that define it as a class A + A + A + simulator. The environmental conditions during the performance of the tests are controlled and the flash incidence is normal to the module surface. Furthermore, due to the implementation of programmable switches, test sequences have been fully automated optimizing the time required for characterizing a module. The paper also presents the results obtained in the quality control of 500 modules tested during the commissioning test of 2 PV plants located in the UK.

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