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Long-term monitoring of photovoltaic devices

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  • van Dyk, E.E
  • Meyer, E.L
  • Vorster, F.J
  • Leitch, A.W.R

Abstract

For photovoltaic (PV) devices to operate successfully over an expected lifespan of 30 years, much research is needed in all aspects of these devices. This study is concerned with the monitoring of the performance and degradation of PV devices over extended periods as well as the effect of meteorological conditions on device performance. The PV devices used in this study comprise different cell technologies and designs. The performance of conventional flat plate modules was monitored over a 15-month period and that of a PV concentrator array over a 13-month period. The results of this performance monitoring are presented in this paper. Degradation mechanisms of PV devices are also discussed. This study showed that, as expected, the power ratings of PV devices do not usually give an accurate indication of their performance outdoors. Results obtained also showed that meteorological conditions could cause an 18% reduction of a module's potential power. A degradation monitoring procedure revealed potential degradation mechanisms, such as mismatched cells, hot spot formation and low cell shunt resistances on some modules. A comparative study on the PV concentrator modules showed that the concentrator modules produced much less energy than their rated energy when operating outdoors. The energy performance of a tracked flat plate module vastly exceeded the concentrator modules' performance.

Suggested Citation

  • van Dyk, E.E & Meyer, E.L & Vorster, F.J & Leitch, A.W.R, 2002. "Long-term monitoring of photovoltaic devices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 183-197.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:25:y:2002:i:2:p:183-197
    DOI: 10.1016/S0960-1481(01)00064-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Meyer, E.L & van Dyk, E.E, 2000. "Development of energy model based on total daily irradiation and maximum ambient temperature," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 37-47.
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    1. Le Phuong Truong & Hoang An Quoc & Huan-Liang Tsai & Do Van Dung, 2020. "A Method to Estimate and Analyze the Performance of a Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Zhou, Wei & Yang, Hongxing & Fang, Zhaohong, 2007. "A novel model for photovoltaic array performance prediction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(12), pages 1187-1198, December.
    3. Mpholo, Moeketsi & Nchaba, Teboho & Monese, Molebatsi, 2015. "Yield and performance analysis of the first grid-connected solar farm at Moshoeshoe I International Airport, Lesotho," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 845-852.
    4. Gulkowski, Slawomir & Muñoz Diez, José Vicente & Aguilera Tejero, Jorge & Nofuentes, Gustavo, 2019. "Computational modeling and experimental analysis of heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer photovoltaic module under different environmental conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 380-390.
    5. Midtgard, Ole-Morten & Sætre, Tor Oskar & Yordanov, Georgi & Imenes, Anne Gerd & Nge, Chee Lim, 2010. "A qualitative examination of performance and energy yield of photovoltaic modules in southern Norway," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1266-1274.
    6. Athari, M.H. & Ardehali, M.M., 2016. "Operational performance of energy storage as function of electricity prices for on-grid hybrid renewable energy system by optimized fuzzy logic controller," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 890-902.
    7. Sadok, Mohammed & Mehdaoui, Ahmed, 2008. "Outdoor testing of photovoltaic arrays in the Saharan region," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 2516-2524.
    8. Yang, Hongxing & Wei, Zhou & Chengzhi, Lou, 2009. "Optimal design and techno-economic analysis of a hybrid solar-wind power generation system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(2), pages 163-169, February.
    9. Sharma, Rakhi & Tiwari, G.N., 2012. "Technical performance evaluation of stand-alone photovoltaic array for outdoor field conditions of New Delhi," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 644-652.

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