Physical and electrical degradation of photovoltaic modules after exposure in terrestrial environments

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6035509

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

Between March 1977 and March 1979, MIT/Lincoln Laboratory, in conjunction with the US Department of Energy, placed 75 kW of photovoltaic modules at various experimental test sites in the United States. The largest of these include a 25 kW array field in Mead, Nebraska, used to power corn irrigation and crop drying equipment; a ground level 25 kW array field in Lexington, used as a residential system test bed; a 15 kW rooftop test bed in Lexington, used to evaluate components of photovoltaic systems prior to field installation. To date only 44 modules (amounting to 600 watts) out of 6,000 have experienced electrical failures. This report summarizes the performance of the photovoltaic modules at the Mead test site and describes the physical and electrical changes which have occurred due to weathering and soil accumulation since start-up in July 1977. Where relevant, comparisons will be made with modules at the other test sites.

• 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: 6035509
• Report Number(s): COO--4094-42; CONF-790803--40
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CEREALS
CRACKS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
INSPECTION
IRRIGATION
MAIZE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
THERMAL DEGRADATION
WEATHERING