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Photovoltaic fleet degradation insights

Journal Article · · Progress in Photovoltaics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.3566· OSTI ID:1864619
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Golden Colorado USA
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Abstract

In the PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative, high‐frequency data from commercial and utility‐scale photovoltaic (PV) systems have been collected to examine performance loss rates (PLRs) at a fleet scale. To date, performance data from more than 7.2‐gigawatt (GW) capacity, 1700 sites and 19,000 inverters—approximately equivalent to 6% to 7% of the entire US PV market—have been collected. An overall PLR of −0.75%/year was found, which is in line with historical and recent findings. Tracked silicon (Si) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) performed comparably with all fixed‐tilt systems. Higher PLRs were found for hotter temperature zones; cooler climates exhibit a median −0.48%/year loss, which increases to −0.88%/year in hotter climates. High‐efficiency module technologies showed median PLRs in line with conventional Si technologies but demonstrated markedly different PLR behavior when filtered only for low‐light conditions <600 W/m 2 . Causes for this technology‐dependent behavior are under investigation.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
Other Award/Contract Number:
30295
OSTI ID:
1864619
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1996459
OSTI ID: 1865882
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5K00-81314
Journal Information:
Progress in Photovoltaics, Journal Name: Progress in Photovoltaics Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 30; ISSN 1062-7995
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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