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Evaluation of high‐temperature exposure of photovoltaic modules
Author(s) -
Kurtz Sarah,
Whitfield Kent,
TamizhMani G.,
Koehl Michael,
Miller David,
Joyce James,
Wohlgemuth John,
Bosco Nick,
Kempe Michael,
Zgonena Timothy
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.1103
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , arrhenius equation , degradation (telecommunications) , thermal , sunlight , wind speed , environmental science , materials science , apparent temperature , moisture , nuclear engineering , activation energy , thermodynamics , composite material , humidity , electrical engineering , meteorology , optics , chemistry , physics , engineering , organic chemistry
Photovoltaic (PV) modules operate at temperatures above ambient owing to the thermal energy of sunlight. The operating temperature primarily depends on the ambient temperature, incident sunlight, mounting configuration, packaging configuration, and wind speed. In this paper, the cumulative thermal degradation is modeled to follow Arrhenius behavior. The data are analyzed to determine the constant temperature that would give average aging equivalent to the variable temperatures observed in the field. These equivalent temperatures are calculated for various locations using six configurations, providing a technical basis for defining accelerated thermal‐endurance and ‐degradation testing. This data may also be useful as a starting point for studies of the combined effects of elevated temperature and other factors such as UV, moisture, and mechanical stress. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.