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Title: Quantitative Electroluminescence Imaging Analysis for Performance Estimation of PID-Influenced PV Modules

Journal Article · · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

An empirical method for estimating relative power losses caused by potential-induced degradation (PID) for p-type solar cells and modules using quantitative electroluminescence (EL) analysis (QELA) is presented. First, EL images are corrected for camera- and perspective distortion. The relative power loss map is then calculated from the logarithmic ratio of two EL images, taken either before and after PID degradation or at different applied currents. Only the cell average of the resulting power loss map is evaluated. The highest power loss across each string is averaged to obtain the overall power loss. Consequently, for modules with three strings, three cells are averaged. The resulting power loss depends on the current applied. The conversion to equivalent irradiance allows for comparison of measured and estimated device performance. The analysis of roughly 2000 EL images and related current-voltage (I-V) curves indicates a good agreement between flash-test-measured and performance estimated using QELA. A relative root mean square error of 1-3% can be achieved.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1464918
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5K00-72198
Journal Information:
IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Vol. 8, Issue 5; ISSN 2156-3381
Publisher:
IEEECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 29 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science