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Title: Performance Summary for the First Solar CdTe 1-kW System: Preprint

Conference ·
OSTI ID:15000007

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Describes performance of 1-kWac CdTe PV array from First Solar operated at NREL from 6/95 to 14/00. This paper describes the performance of a 1-kW{sub ac} CdTe PV array from First Solar (formerly Solar Cells, Inc.) operated at NREL from June 1995 to November 2000. The PV array operating efficiencies over the 5.5-year period were calculated from 15-minute averages to determine changes in seasonal and annual performance. Performance measurements of each module were also made before installing the modules outdoors and again in August 2000 using NREL's indoor SPIRE 240A pulsed solar simulator and the Standard Outdoor Measurement System (SOMS). Although some modules showed increases in efficiency and others decreases, the average efficiency of the modules in the PV array did not change. For modules that showed changes in efficiency, analysis of module I-V parameters indicated that the changes in efficiency were primarily a consequence of changes in fill factor.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO. (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-99-GO10337
OSTI ID:
15000007
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-520-30942; TRN: US200325%%62
Resource Relation:
Conference: Presented at the NCPV Program Review Meeting, Lakewood, CO (US), 10/14/2001--10/17/2001; Other Information: PBD: 1 Oct 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English