Solar Photovoltaic Project: materials, processes, and testing activities. Quarterly report, April 1-June 30, 1979

Technical Report · Wed Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5779306· OSTI ID:5779306

Forman, S. E.; Themelis, M. P.

The US Department of Energy has set a 20-year lifetime goal for terrestrial photovoltaic modules. In its capacity as a Photovoltaic Field Tests and Applications Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory has established various experimental test sites, ranging in size from 0.1- to 25-kW-peak power, throughout the United States. These sites include modules from several manufacturers and serve as test beds for photovoltaic system components. This report, the fifth in a series of similar reports (1-4), summarizes the activities of the Materials, Processes and Testing Laboratory of the Solar Photovoltaic Field Tests and Applications Project during the three-month period (4/1/79 to 6/30/79). During this period, inspection trips were made to test sites at the University of Texas at Arlington and at Mead, Nebraska. Modules were tested in the field to determine the extent of physical and electrical degradation which had taken place since previous inspections. Several modules were removed from these sites for more detailed laboratory analysis. In addition, degradation analysis of modules from the rooftop of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and failure analysis of modules from the Lincoln Laboratory Rooftop Test Bed and Residential Test Beds was performed. The results of both field testing and the laboratory analyses are reported.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Lexington (USA). Lincoln Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-02-4094
• OSTI ID: 5779306
• Report Number(s): COO--4094-60
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
COVERINGS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
GREAT LAKES REGION
ILLINOIS
INSPECTION
MIDWEST REGION
NEBRASKA
NORTH AMERICA
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER RANGE 1-10 KW
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
POWER RANGE 100-1000 W
POWER SUPPLIES
PYROLYSIS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOUTHWEST REGION
TEST FACILITIES
TEXAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
WEATHERING