Use of non-contact voltmeter to quantify potential induced degradation in CdTe modules

Ahmad Raza, Hamza; Ibne Mahmood, Farrukh; TamizhMani, Govindasamy

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2023.02.002

Use of non-contact voltmeter to quantify potential induced degradation in CdTe modules

Journal Article · Sat Feb 11 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.02.002· OSTI ID:2418599

Ahmad Raza, Hamza ^[1]; Ibne Mahmood, Farrukh ^[2]; TamizhMani, Govindasamy ^[2]

Arizona State Univ., Mesa, AZ (United States); OSTI
Arizona State Univ., Mesa, AZ (United States)

Potential induced degradation (PID) is a significant reliability issue for photovoltaic modules in the field. Conventionally, to detect the PID-affected modules, all the modules in a string are individually disconnected and measured using I-V (current–voltage) tracers. It is extremely time-consuming, expensive and unsafe (if the module connectors are field aged) approach. In our approach, we aim detecting the PID-affected modules quickly, inexpensively and safely without disconnecting individual modules in the string. In this study, contactless electrostatic voltmeter’s (ESV) strength was explored to detect the PID-affected cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules in a string. These contactless measurements on high-voltage PV strings could make this technique unique and preferable to detect PID-affected modules in a string compared to the I-V curve method. In this work, a CdTe module was stressed for PID using the Aluminum (Al) foil method in a walk-in environmental chamber, which resulted in a reduction of module's peak current (I_max), peak voltage (Vmax), and fill factor (FF), and hence power (Pmax). Outdoor light I-V, EL, and ESV measurements were performed pre- and post-PID to determine the effectiveness of the non-contact ESV technique. Further, the ESV technique successfully detected the change in V_max, and hence Pmax, compared to the pre-and post-PID conditions. A difference of less than 2% was observed in the results of the non-contact and non-interruptive method compared to the conventionally used interruptive voltmeter or I-V tracer method. This technique and the test results demonstrate a significant promise to identify poor-performing modules in PV string without disconnection of individual modules in the string.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008165

OSTI ID:: 2418599

Journal Information:: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 252; ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
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Use of non-contact voltmeter to quantify potential induced degradation in CdTe modules

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