Testing to Support Improvements to PV Components and Systems

Conference · Sat Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2000

OSTI ID:761054

THOMAS, H ^[1]; KROPOSKI, B; WITT, C; BOWER, WARD I; BONN, RUSSELL H; GINN, JERRY W; GONZALEZ, SIGIFREDO

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1. Sandia National Laboratories

The National Photovoltaic (PV) Program is sponsored by the US Department of Energy and includes a PV Manufacturing Research and Development (R and D) project conducted with industry. This project includes advancements in PV components to improve reliability, reduce costs, and develop integrated PV systems. Participants submit prototypes, pre-production hardware products, and examples of the resulting final products for a range of tests conducted at several national laboratories, independent testing laboratories, and recognized listing agencies. The purpose of this testing is to use the results to assist industry in determining a product's performance and reliability, and to identify areas for potential improvement. This paper briefly describes the PV Manufacturing R and D project, participants in the area of PV systems, balance of systems, and components, and several examples of the different types of product and performance testing used to support and confirm product performance.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (US); Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 761054
• Report Number(s): SAND2000-1689C
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BALANCE OF SYSTEMS
COMPONENTS
INVERTER
MANUFACTURING
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
RELIABILITY
SOLAR INDUSTRY