Materials, Processes, and Testing Laboratory, final report summarizing module performance at MIT Lincoln Laboratory experimental photovoltaic test sites, 1977-1982
During the years 1977 to 1982 over 11,000 photovoltaic (PV) modules were placed at experimental PV power-generating systems in a number of field test sites in the United States. Prominent among these are a 100-kW system at Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah, a 25-kW system at Mead, Nebraska, and a 15-kW system at Bryan, Ohio. Through a program of periodic surveillance, measurements and inspections at the aforementioned sites, 470 electrically failed modules were located, removed and analyzed during this six-year period. The principal causes of failure were: (1) cells cracked due to weathering or internal module stresses; (2) failed solder joints: (3) interconnects not soldered to rear sides of cells at assembly; (4) cells or interconnects electrically shorted to metallic substrates; and (5) broken or split interconnects. Details and photographs of many of the different types of failures are presented. In addition, some of the analysis techniques used to locate the failures are described.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Lexington, MA (United States). Lincoln Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76ET20279
- OSTI ID:
- 5087161
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/20279-188; ON: DE82020699
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Performance of terrestrial photovoltaic modules at MIT Lincoln Laboratory experimental photovoltaic systems
Review of PV module performance at DOE/MIT Lincoln Laboratory test sites during the period 1977-1982
Related Subjects
SOLAR CELLS
FAILURES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
CRACKS
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
MASSACHUSETTS
NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
NEBRASKA
OHIO
SOLDERED JOINTS
SURFACE CONTAMINATION
TEXAS
WEATHERING
CONTAMINATION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION I
FEDERAL REGION V
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VII
JOINTS
NORTH AMERICA
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PUBLIC LANDS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
USA
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion