Partial shade stress test for thin-film photovoltaic modules

Timothy J. Silverman; Michael G. Deceglie; Chris Deline; Sarah Kurtz

doi:10.1117/12.2188774

23 September 2015 Partial shade stress test for thin-film photovoltaic modules

Timothy J. Silverman, Michael G. Deceglie, Chris Deline, Sarah Kurtz

Proceedings Volume 9563, Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VIII; 95630F (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188774
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics for Sustainable Energy, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Partial shade of monolithic thin-film PV modules can cause reverse-bias conditions leading to permanent damage. In this work, we introduce a partial shade stress test for thin-film PV modules that quantifies permanent performance loss. The test reproduces shading and loading conditions that may occur in the field. It accounts for reversible light-induced performance changes and for the effects of light-enhanced reverse breakdown. We simulated the test procedure using a computer model that predicts the local voltage, current and temperature stress resulting from partial shade. We also performed the test on three commercial module types. Each module type we tested suffered permanent damage during masked ash testing totaling < 2 s of light exposure. During the subsequent stress test these module types lost 4%{11% in Pmp due to widespread formation of new shunts. One module type showed a substantial worsening of the Pmp loss upon light stabilization, underscoring the importance of this practice for proper quantification of damage.

Citation Download Citation

Timothy J. Silverman, Michael G. Deceglie, Chris Deline, and Sarah Kurtz "Partial shade stress test for thin-film photovoltaic modules", Proc. SPIE 9563, Reliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VIII, 95630F (23 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2188774

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available