Solar Photovoltaic Project: materials, processes, and testing activities. Quarterly report, 1 January-31 March 1979

Technical Report · Sat Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6084918· OSTI ID:6084918

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

The Department of Energy has set a 20-year-lifetime goal for terrestrial photovoltaic modules. Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory, in its capacity as a Photovoltaic Field Tests and Applications Center, has established throughout the United States various experimental test sites which range in size from 0.1 to 25 kW of peak power. These sites include modules from several manufacturers and serve as test beds for photovoltaic system components. The activities of the Materials, Processes, and Testing Laboratory of the Solar Photovoltaic Project during a three-month (1/1/79-3/31/79) period are summarized. During this period, an inspection trip was made to the Mead, Nebraska, test site. The modules were tested in the field to determine the extent of physical and electrical degradation which had taken place since previous inspections. In addition, several modules were removed from the site for more detailed laboratory examination. The results of both the field testing and 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: 6084918
• Report Number(s): COO--4094-55
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
HAIL
INSPECTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER SUPPLIES
SERVICE LIFE
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
TESTING
THERMAL DEGRADATION
WEATHERING