Endurance testing of first generation (Block I) commercial solar cell modules

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6701626

Anagnostou, E; Forestieri, A F

One phase of the Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Cell Photovoltaic Program is to develop low-cost solar cell arrays with a 20-year lifetime. In order to help determine lifetimes of the first generation (Block I) commercial solar cell modules used in these arrays, a program was initiated by DOE/NASA-Lewis Research Center to expose these modules to a range of environments. Accordingly, Block I modules from four manufacturers were installed at commercial testing sites in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Arizona and at noncommercial sites in Cleveland, Ohio. The effect of outdoor exposure on the performance of the modules was determined using current-voltage curves. Short-circuit current (I/sub sc/) and maximum power (P/sub max/) were the parameters monitored. In order to determine the effect of dirt on performance, some modules were washed periodically and their parameters were recorded both before and after washing. In all cases, there was a loss of performance of the modules with outdoor exposure. The loss was dependent not only on the exposure site but also on the module construction. Three types of modules are covered with silicone pottants and one type has, in addition, a glass cover. This latter type of module had a loss in P/sub max/ only one-quarter to one-sixth that of the other modules in a comparable period of time. For all modules, some of the performance loss could be recovered by washing. Except for glass-covered modules, where the loss in P/sub max/ could be completely recovered each time, each succeeding washing recovered less. Thus, the silicone-covered modules showed a permanent loss in performance. Many modules showed edge delaminations and/or delaminations under cells and interconnects. These did not seem to seriously affect power output. Results from these exposure tests indicate that delamination and dirt retention are likely trouble spots in solar cell modules.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• DOE Contract Number: EX-76-A-29-1022
• OSTI ID: 6701626
• Report Number(s): DOE/NASA/1022-78/33; CONF-780619-13; NASA-TM-78922
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CLEANING
COVERINGS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
GLASS
HUMIDITY
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER PLANTS
SERVICE LIFE
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING
WASHING
WEATHERING