Degradation evaluation of crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules after a few operation years in a tropical environment

Ndiaye, Ababacar; Kébé, Cheikh Mouhamed Fadel; Charki, Abdérafi; Ndiaye, P.; Sabourin, Vincent; Kobi, Abdessamad

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2014.02.006

Cited by 140 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The power loss of module PWX1 (Section 3.2.1), in particular, is traceable to fill factor loss. Loss of fill factor is generally attributed to increase in series resistance of the modules ( [38,40]), arising from factors such as corrosion and thermo-mechanical fatigue of the solder bonds and interconnection. Indeed, the shape of the I-V curve arising from fill factor loss, as is the case with module PWX 1 (Figure 15), is reproducible from the 1-diode PV cell model by increasing the series resistance [61].…”

Section: Fill Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of researchers have undertaken, over the years, to study the long-term outdoor performance, degradation and failure of solar PV modules around the world. Notable authors in this area include Lorenzo et al [36], Bandou et al [37], Ndiaye et al [38], Jordan and Kurtz [18], Quintana et al [39], Skoczek [40], Skoczek et al [41], Kahoul et al [42] and Ferrara and Daniel [43]. The literature identifies major causes and modes of module degradation and failure to include [18,39]: degradation of packaging materials, loss of adhesion, degradation of cell/module interconnects as a result of thermomechanical fatigue, degradation due to moisture intrusion and degradation of semiconductor device [39].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reliability and Degradation of Solar PV Modules—Case Study of 19-Year-Old Polycrystalline Modules in Ghana

et al. 2017

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Abstract:Fourteen (14) rack-mounted polycrystalline modules installed on the concrete roof of the solar energy applications laboratory at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, a hot humid environment, were assessed after 19 years of continuous outdoor exposure. The physical state of the modules was documented using a visual inspection checklist. They were further assessed by current-voltage (I-V) characterization and thermal imaging. The modules were found to be in good physical state, except some bubbles on front side and minor discolouration/corrosion at edge of the cells. Compared with reference values, the performance decline of the modules observed over the exposure period was: nominal power (P nom ), 21% to 35%; short circuit current (I sc ), 5.8% to 11.7%; open circuit voltage (V oc ) 3.6% to 5.6% and 11.9% to 25.7% for fill factor (FF). It is hoped that this study will provide some helpful information to project developers, manufacturers and the research community on the long-term performance of PV modules in Ghana.

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Section: Fill Factormentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability and Degradation of Solar PV Modules—Case Study of 19-Year-Old Polycrystalline Modules in Ghana

et al. 2017

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“…Methods commonly applied by researchers to monitor and assess a module's electrical performance are current voltage (I-V) and power voltage (P-V) curve scanning (Carr and Pryor, 2004;Gxasheka et al 2005;Ndiaye et al 2014). These curves represent the values of electrical parameters of a module such as maximum power output (P max ), maximum output current (I max ), maximum output voltage (V max ), open circuit voltage (V oc ) and short circuit current (I sc ).…”

Section: Electrical Performance Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The contribution of dust to performance degradation of PV modules in a temperate climate zone

et al. 2015

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This research investigates the contribution of dust to the long-term performance degradation of various photovoltaic (PV) modules that have been operating for almost eighteen years without any cleaning procedures at the Renewable Energy Outdoor Testing Area (ROTA), Murdoch University, Perth, Australia. A solar module analyser was used to assess the PVs'electrical performance, while a combination of spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope, electron dispersive spectroscope and X-ray diffraction were used to exam the properties of the dust on the panels. The study found that the degradation of the PV modules' power output, ranged from 19% to 33%. The degradation is mostly due to non-dust related factors such as corrosion, delamination, and discoloration, which account about 71% to 84%, although the contribution of dust is still significant at 16% to 29%. Anova analysis shows that the dust has a fairly uniform impact on the performance degradation of all PV technologies at ROTA. This is in line with the results of spectral transmittance curves for different dust density samples that essentially flat over the wavelength range of the PV modules. An investigation of the properties of dust revealed that dust particles deposited on PV modules' surface at ROTA were dominated by fine particles built of large amounts of quartz (SiO 2 ), followed by calcium oxide (CaO) and some minors of feldspars minerals (KAlSi 3 O 8 ), which are the main factors in transmittance losses that affect PV module performance.

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“…The EVA was delaminating and changed its color to yellow and to brown in both modules at the same time, due to the photo-oxidation under high temperature and humidity [5]. This degradation of EVA increases the leakage current of the module, which is the main cause of the potential induced degradation (PID) in the two modules.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main factors responsible for reducing the lifetime of a PV module are the degradation mechanisms which are dependent on a number of physical and climatic factors. The outcome of degradation is the reduction the amount of energy produced, related with the changes in the electrical characteristics of PV modules, such as I −V and P − V curves, open-circuit voltage V oc , short-circuit current I sc , maximum output current I max , maximum output voltage V max , maximum power output P max , and fill factor (FF) [5,6]. FF is an important performance indicator, representing the ratio between the maximum power that can be delivered by a cell P max and the power resulting from the multiplication of I sc and V oc , under specific irradiance and temperature conditions [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Degradation Modes and Their Effects on Reliability of Photovoltaic Modules after 12 Years of Field Operation in the Steppe Region

Saadsaoud

AHmed

et al. 2017

Acta Phys. Pol. A

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This paper presents an evaluation of the performance degradation of photovoltaic modules after twelve operation years in a steppe region environment in Algeria. The objective is to understand the different degradation modes of the photovoltaic modules and associated factors and their impact on the electrical properties (Voc, Isc, Vmax, Imax, Pmax and FF) using the degradation tests of IEC 61215 qualification standard and the electroluminescence test. The experimental results show that yearly degradation rates of the maximum power output Pmax present the highest possible loss, ranging from 2.08% to 5.2%. Additionally, the results show that the short-circuit current Isc comes second with yearly degradation rates spanning from 2.75% to 2.84%. Finally the open-circuit voltage Voc is the least affected, with yearly degradation occurring from 0.01% to 4.25%.

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Degradation evaluation of crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules after a few operation years in a tropical environment

Cited by 140 publications

References 23 publications

Reliability and Degradation of Solar PV Modules—Case Study of 19-Year-Old Polycrystalline Modules in Ghana

Reliability and Degradation of Solar PV Modules—Case Study of 19-Year-Old Polycrystalline Modules in Ghana

The contribution of dust to performance degradation of PV modules in a temperate climate zone

Experimental Study of Degradation Modes and Their Effects on Reliability of Photovoltaic Modules after 12 Years of Field Operation in the Steppe Region

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