Evaluation of the impact of partial shading and its transmittance on the performance of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

The Atacama Desert receives the highest levels of solar irradiance in the world with an annual average of 2500 kWh/m2 for the global horizontal irradiance and 3500 kWh/m2 for the direct normal irradiance. One of the challenges is the large portion of ultraviolet light. This part of the spectrum be detrimental for the encapsulant materials, reducing their lifetime. To develop a module adapted to the Atacama Desert conditions, it is imperative to have standardized information from first-hand about the typical faults experienced by photovoltaic modules operating in the desert. This work reports on the design and implementation of the Inspection Data Collection Tool to evaluate crystalline silicon-based moules operating in desert climates. The tool brings together novel features of compatibility with current standards, efficient mobile-type instrumentation (equipment and tools), clear procedures/protocols for non-expert users and low development costs. A total of 95 modules were inspected to characterize failure/degradation issues. Three components of the solar modules were assessed: front cover glass, ethylene-vinyl acetate encapsulant and solar cells. Seven abnormalities were analyzed: Soiling, front cover glass discoloration, encapsulant delamination, hotspots, partial shading, cell fracture and faulty soldering. Soiling was the most common issue, showing correlation between dust deposition and location.

Download Full-text

Quantifying and Modeling the Impact of Interconnection Failures on the Electrical Performance of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC) ◽

10.1109/pvsc.2018.8547784 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eleonora Annigoni ◽

Alessandro Virtuani ◽

Jacques Levrat ◽

Antonin Faes ◽

Matthieu Despeisse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crystalline Silicon ◽

Electrical Performance ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Investigating the impact of solar cells partial shading on photovoltaic modules by thermography

2017 IEEE 44th Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) ◽

10.1109/pvsc.2017.8366497 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

David Pera ◽

Jose A. Silva ◽

Sara Costa ◽

Joao M. Serra

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Partial Shading ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Investigation of the Impact of Illumination on the Polarization-Type Potential-Induced Degradation of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics ◽

10.1109/jphotov.2018.2843791 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 1168-1173 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Wei Luo ◽

Peter Hacke ◽

Saw Min Hsian ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Armin G. Aberle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crystalline Silicon ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

The Impact ◽

Type Potential

Download Full-text

Impact of Partial Shading on the P-V Characteristics and the Maximum Power of a Photovoltaic String

Energies ◽

10.3390/en11071860 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1860 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

J. Teo ◽

Rodney Tan ◽

V. Mok ◽

Vigna Ramachandaramurthy ◽

ChiaKwang Tan

Keyword(s):

Critical Point ◽

Solar Irradiance ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Maximum Power ◽

Photovoltaic System ◽

Partial Shading ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

The Impact

A photovoltaic system is highly susceptible to partial shading. Based on the functionality of a photovoltaic system that relies on solar irradiance to generate electrical power, it is tacitly assumed that the maximum power of a partially shaded photovoltaic system always decreases as the shading heaviness increases. However, the literature has reported that this might not be the case. The maximum power of a partially shaded photovoltaic system under a fixed configuration and partial shading pattern can be highly insusceptible to shading heaviness when a certain critical point is met. This paper presents an investigation of the impact of partial shading and the critical point that reduce the susceptibility of shading heaviness. Photovoltaic string formed by series-connected photovoltaic modules is used in this research. The investigation of the P-V characteristic curve under different numbers of shaded modules and shading heaviness suggests that the photovoltaic string becomes insusceptible to shading heaviness when the shaded modules irradiance reaches a certain critical point. The critical point can vary based on the number of the shaded modules. The formulated equation in this research contributes to determining the critical point for different photovoltaic string sizes and numbers of shaded modules in the photovoltaic string.

Download Full-text

Effects of current mismatch due to uneven soiling on the performance of multi-crystalline silicon module strings

Journal of Energy in Southern Africa ◽

10.17159/2413-3051/2020/v31i1a7571 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 62-72

Author(s):

M. Vumbugwa ◽

J.L. Crozier McCleland ◽

E.E. Van Dyk ◽

F.J. Vorster ◽

T.J. Serameng

Keyword(s):

Crystalline Silicon ◽

Electrical Power ◽

Front Surface ◽

Electrical Characteristics ◽

Partial Shading ◽

Pv Systems ◽

Bird Droppings ◽

Pv Module ◽

Power Modules ◽

The Impact

Photovoltaic (PV) module operation is critical in PV systems for optimum generation of electrical power. Modules installed in the field suffer uneven soiling caused by bird droppings and dust build-up on their front surface. This study investigated the impact of partial shading caused by non-uniform soiling on the electrical characteristics of multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) modules and strings, and compared this with simulated I-V parameters. Light and heavy uneven soiling on mc-Si solar cells resulted in current mismatch which can be simulated. The effects of partial soiling on the I-V characteristics of mc-Si module strings were experimentally measured and agreed with the simulated results.

Download Full-text

Application of the Double Diode Model of Photovoltaic Cells for Simulation Studies on the Impact of Partial Shading of Silicon Photovoltaic Modules on the Waveforms of Their Current–Voltage Characteristic

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12122421 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 2421 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mariusz T. Sarniak ◽

Jacek Wernik ◽

Krzysztof J. Wołosz

Keyword(s):

Computer Simulation ◽

Classical Method ◽

Photovoltaic Cells ◽

Photovoltaic System ◽

Partial Shading ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Solar Radiation Intensity ◽

Current Voltage ◽

Pv Modules ◽

The Impact

Photovoltaics (PV) is the phenomenon of converting sun energy into electric energy by using photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, solar energy is the major renewable energy source. PV modules are systematically more efficient and manufacturing costs decrease at the same time. The PV module performance is affected by ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, rainfall, incident solar radiation intensity and spectrum, dust deposition, pollution, and shading, which are environmental factors. The problem of partial shading of the generator often arises when designing photovoltaic installations. If it is not possible to avoid this phenomenon, its impact on the operation of the photovoltaic system should be estimated. The classical method is to measure the current–voltage characteristics, but it requires switching off the installation for the duration of the measurements. Therefore, this paper proposes a method using a computer simulation in the Matlab package with the implemented component “Solar Cell” for this purpose. Three cases of partial shading of photovoltaic modules with different degrees of shading were analyzed. The obtained results of the computer simulation were verified for two types of silicon PV modules: Mono- and polycrystalline.

Download Full-text