Evaluating Power Loss and Performance Ratio of Hot-Spotted Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

The impact of Photovoltaic (PV) hot-spots is assessed through the analysis of 2580 polycrystalline silicon PV modules distributed across the UK. PV hotspots were categorized into eight different groups using the percentage of power loss (PLL). All hot-spots groups were modelled using the cumulative density function (CDF), state of art geographical mapping, and performance ratio (PR) analysis. Significantly, it was found that 92.15% of the PV modules affected by hot-spotted PV string are located in northern UK, were the effect of low temperature levels, heavy snow, and hoarfrost are more significant. Lastly, it was found that the distribution of PV modules affected by only one hot-spotted solar cell, are likely (82.41%) located in coastal locations. Hence, coastal locations expect to have lower risks for causing multiple hot-spotted solar cells in PV modules, compared to central and colder locations. The PR of all examined PV modules was analysed. It was evident that the mean PR is significantly reduced due to the existence of hot-spots in the PV modules. The least difference in the PR between healthy and hot-spotted PV modules is equal to -0.83%, whereas the most difference is calculated at -15.47%.

Assessing MPPT Techniques on Hot-Spotted and Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Modules: Comprehensive Review Based on Experimental Data

“… The analysis of the accuracy for any given MPPT algorithm must be evaluated under (i) partial shading conditions, (ii) PV modules affected by different hotspots, since hot-spotting phenomenon has been raised in the last 10 years as one of the major as well as common defects in PV modules [49], and (iii) MPPT algorithms must be analysed on PV modules affected by different weather conditions including real-time long-term data verification over a duration of several days/months.  PV research community and solar energy industry have to start to investigate the impact of PV hotspotting on the accuracy of current MPPT units available in the market.…”

Ultrafast High-Resolution Solar Cell Cracks Detection Process

“…So as to examine the cracks in solar cells, multiple methods have been proposed. One of the first methods is the Resonance ultrasonic vibrations (RUV) which is developed by [1] and [2]. This method uses ultrasonic vibrations of a tenable frequency of an optical sensor.…”

70% Decrease of Hot-Spotted Photovoltaic Modules Output Power Loss Using Novel MPPT Algorithm

“…PV Hot-spots can easily be detected through IR inspection, which has become a common practice in current PV application as presented in [10]. However, the impact of hot-spot on the operation and performance of PV modules have been extensively investigated and addressed, which helps us to explain why there is a lack of accepted approaches which deal with hot-spotting, as well as specific criterion referring to the acceptance or rejection of affected PV module/s in commercial systems.…”