Voltage mapping and local defects identification in solar cells using non-contact method

Raza, Hamza Ahmad; TamizhMani, Govindasamy

doi:10.1016/j.seta.2023.103304

Voltage mapping and local defects identification in solar cells using non-contact method

Journal Article · Wed Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2023.103304· OSTI ID:2418600

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

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

Electroluminescence, infrared imaging, and current–voltage curve techniques are used to detect and map underperforming cells in a photovoltaic module or the modules in a photovoltaic string. In this work, we present a non-contact electrostatic voltmeter technique to detect and map the underperforming spots in a cell and the cells in a module. This non-contact technique directly maps the charged surface voltage (671mV) of the superstrate glass, and it had an 11-mV difference with the voltmeter values (660mV). Another data set of voltage values obtained by electroluminescence images conversion into a voltage map showed a difference of 7mV with the non-contact voltmeter values. Further, the direct voltage values obtained at various good and poor-performing spots of the cells using this technique are 3.69V and 3.79V and are validated using the voltage values obtained in electroluminescence analysis and the difference in voltage obtained by the two techniques is determined to be less than 2%. In this work, we combine the strengths of two complementary techniques of the electrostatic voltmeter (strength: quantitative) and electroluminescence (strength: spatial mapping) to obtain a quantitative spatial mapping of defects. Furthermore, this work is extendable to detect the poor-performing modules in solar PV power plants.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008165

OSTI ID:: 2418600

Journal Information:: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, Journal Name: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments Journal Issue: C Vol. 57; ISSN 2213-1388

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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