Open AccessComprehensive study of performance degradation of field‐mounted photovoltaic modules in India
Author(s) -
Dubey Rajiv,
Chattopadhyay Shashwata,
Kuthanazhi Vivek,
Kottantharayil Anil,
Singh Solanki Chetan,
Arora Brij M.,
Narasimhan Krishnamachari L.,
Vasi Juzer,
Bora Birinchi,
Singh Yogesh Kumar,
Sastry Oruganti S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
energy science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.638
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2050-0505
DOI - 10.1002/ese3.150
Subject(s) - degradation (telecommunications) , photovoltaic system , reliability engineering , reliability (semiconductor) , automotive engineering , interconnection , breakage , materials science , electrical engineering , environmental science , computer science , forensic engineering , power (physics) , engineering , composite material , telecommunications , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract The All India Survey of Photovoltaic Module Reliability 2014 is an enhanced version of the survey conducted in the previous year, with detailed characterization of PV modules including current‐voltage, infrared and electroluminescence imaging, visual inspection, insulation resistance test and interconnect breakage test. More than a thousand modules were inspected in the field and the main results of the survey are presented in this paper. The average P max degradation rate for the so‐called ‘good’ modules (Group X) is 1.33%/year which is higher than that commonly projected by manufacturers, and widely employed in financial calculations. Modules falling in the ‘not‐so‐good’ category (Group Y) show even higher degradation rates, and it is at least partly due to higher number of micro‐cracks in the modules, and increased degradation of the packaging materials like encapsulant, backsheet, etc. Modules in ‘Hot’ climates degrade faster than modules in the ‘Non‐Hot’ climates. Degradation in fill factor is the primary cause for performance degradation in the young modules (ages <5 years), whereas short‐circuit current degradation is the main contributor to power degradation in the older modules. Small installations (<100 kW p capacity) show higher degradation than large systems, which may be partly due to lack of proper due diligence by the owner at the time of procurement and installation.