Outdoor performance of amorphous silicon and polycrystalline silicon PV modules

Akhmad, Kholid; Kitamura, Akio; Yamamoto, Fumio; Okamoto, H.; Takakura, Hideyuki; Hamakawa, Yoshihiro

doi:10.1016/s0927-0248(97)00003-2

Cited by 117 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The results reported by Akhmad et al, [1997] also demonstrated the seasonal effects that are displayed by solar cell modules of different technologies. These results are reproduced in Figure 1.…”

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 68%

“…As well as this, field experience has allowed the development of procedures for accelerated testing which can mimic, over a few weeks, the failures expected over a 30-year lifetime in the field [Hill, 1998]. There are a growing number of reported studies of the long term performance of the different photovoltaic modules using both outdoor and laboratory testing [Hawkins and Muirhead, 1996;Akhmad et al, 1997, Meike, 1998, and these will be reviewed briefly. Hawkins and Muirhead [1996] have reported a long-term evaluation of the performance and reliability of photovoltaic modules manufactured using a number of different types of material.…”

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The major ones were: EVA discolouration; degradation of cell material; bubbling of rear Tedlar; and corrosion of tracks -yellowing of solder resin. Akhmad et al, [1997] have reported results for the outdoor performance of a-Si:H and poly-Si PV modules. They have used the daily integrated output power cPw0 and normalised daily watt-hour efficiency (YJwh) of aSi:H and poly-Si modules to examine the performance of both modules for a period of two years under outdoor conditions in a hot, humid climate.…”

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As can be seen from Figure 1, the a-Si:H module profited from improved efficiency during the summer time, while it is the opposite for poly-Si, with a better performance being observed in winter. According to Akhmad et al, [1997] the rise in efficiency for a-Si:H samples in summer arises from two effects. A thermal-recovery effect (recovery of photodegradation) due to the increased temperature experienced during summertime is the dominant factor contributing to the improvement in efficiency.…”

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field and laboratory studies of the stability of amorphous silicon solar cells and modules

et al. 2001

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lf photovoltaic solar cells and modules are to be used as a major source of power generation it is important to have a good knowledge and understanding of their long-term performance under different climatic and operating conditions. A number of studies of the long-term performance of commercially available photovoltaic modules manufactured using different technologies have now been reported in the literature. These have shown clear differences in the seasonal and long term performance and stability. These studies are reviewed, with particular emphasis on performances in climates typical of the Asia-Pacific region.In addition to general module engineering factors that result in a loss of performance in all modules some types of solar cells, such as those made from thin film amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), also suffer specific losses in performance due to fundamental material changes, such as photodegradation or the Staebler-Wronski effect (SWE). A field evaluation of the long term performance of state-of-the-art crystalline and amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules in Australian conditions is currently being undertaken at Murdoch U Diversity. The initial results from this monitoring program are reported. This paper also reports on laboratory and field studies being undertaken on the nature of the Staebler-Wronski effect in amorphous silicon solar cells and how the stability of these cells is affected by different operating conditions. Based on a mechanism for the SWE in a-Si:H solar cells developed as a result of our research we propose a number of possible ways to reduce the Staebler-Wronski effect in a-Si:H solar cells.

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Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 68%

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Review Of Long Term Evaluations Of Photovoltaic Module Perfomentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field and laboratory studies of the stability of amorphous silicon solar cells and modules

et al. 2001

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“…[60][61][62][63][64][65][66] Thus, a c-Si module may produce 1000 kW-hrs/kW STC in a given location while the a-Si module produces 1200 kW-hrs/ kW STC . The increased kW-hr/kW is especially important in markets where rebates or subsidies are based on production (annual kW-hr) not installed capacity (kW); i.e., Germany.…”

Section: Higher Annual Energy Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thin film solar modules: the low cost, high throughput and versatile alternative to Si wafers

Hegedus

2006

Progress in Photovoltaics

163

106

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Thin film solar cells (TFSC) have passed adolescence and are ready to make a substantial contribution to the world's electricity generation. They can have advantages over c-Si solar modules in ease of large area, lower cost manufacturing and in several types of applications. Factors which limit TFSC module performance relative to champion cell performance are discussed along with the importance of increased throughput and yield. The consensus of several studies is that all TFSC can achieve costs below 1 $/W if manufactured at sufficiently large scale >100 MW using parallel lines of cloned equipment with high material utilization and spray-on encapsulants. There is significant new commercial interest in TFSC from small investors and large corporations, validating the thin film approach. Unique characteristics are discussed which give TFSC an advantage over c-Si in two specific markets: small rural solar home systems and building integrated photovoltaic installations. TFSC have outperformed c-Si in annual energy production (kWhrs/kW), have demonstrated outdoor durability comparable to c-Si and are being used in MW scale installations worldwide. The merits of the thin film approach cannot be judged on the basis of efficiency alone but must also account for module performance and potential for low cost. TFSC advocates should promote their unique virtues compared to c-Si: lower cost, higher kWhr/kW output, higher battery charging current, attractive visual appearance, flexible substrates, long-term stability comparable to c-Si, and multiple pathways for deposition with room for innovation and evolutionary improvement. There is a huge market for TFSC even at today's efficiency if costs can be reduced. A brief window of opportunity exists for TFSC over the next few years due the Si shortage. The demonstrated capabilities and advantages of TFSC must be proclaimed more persistently to funding decision-makers and customers without minimizing the remaining challenges.

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Measurement and Characterization of Solar Cells and Modules

Emery

2010

Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering

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INTRODUCTIONMethods of assessing the performance of photovoltaic cells and modules are described in this chapter. The performance of cells and modules can be described by their current versus voltage (I -V ) and spectral responsivity versus wavelength (S(λ)) characteristics. Measurement equipment, procedures, and artifacts are discussed for I -V and S(λ). The most common performance indicator is the photovoltaic (PV) efficiency under standard reporting conditions (SRC) (temperature, spectral irradiance, total irradiance). The efficiency is the maximum electrical power divided by the total irradiance. Procedures for accurately determining the efficiency or the maximum power with respect to reference conditions are described. Alternatives to the standard peak watt rating and how they compare with actual field performance are discussed. Since photovoltaics must operate for 20 to 30 years, with a degradation of less than 1% per year, procedures for assessing the durability of PV modules are also discussed. RATING PV PERFORMANCEA variety of performance indicators have been employed by the photovoltaic community to rate the performance of PV cells and modules [1][2][3][4]. Domestic and international consensus standards have been adopted to rate the performance of PV cells and modules in terms of the output power, or equivalently their efficiency with respect to SRC defined by temperature, spectral irradiance, and total irradiance [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Modules and systems are rated by their peak power under SRC because manufacturers sell and customers purchase PV modules and systems according to the price per watt of power produced. Other performance indicators may be more appropriate for niche markets, such as aesthetics

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Outdoor performance of amorphous silicon and polycrystalline silicon PV modules

Cited by 117 publications

References 4 publications

Field and laboratory studies of the stability of amorphous silicon solar cells and modules

Field and laboratory studies of the stability of amorphous silicon solar cells and modules

Thin film solar modules: the low cost, high throughput and versatile alternative to Si wafers

Measurement and Characterization of Solar Cells and Modules

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