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An investigation into hot‐spots in two large grid‐connected PV plants
Author(s) -
Muñoz J.,
Lorenzo E.,
MartínezMoreno F.,
Marroyo L.,
García M.
Publication year - 2008
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.844
Subject(s) - spots , hot spot (computer programming) , photovoltaics , photovoltaic system , grid , resistive touchscreen , power (physics) , materials science , computer science , automotive engineering , electrical engineering , physics , engineering , chemistry , thermodynamics , mathematics , operating system , geometry
This paper details an investigation into the appearance of hot‐spots in two large grid‐connected photovoltaics (PV) plants, which were detected after the visual inspection of trackers whose energy output was decreasing at anomalous rate. Detected hot‐spots appeared not only in the solar cells but also in resistive solder bonds (RSB) between cells and contact ribbons. Both types cause similar irreversible damage to the PV modules, but the latter are the main responsible for the detected decrease in energy output, which was confirmed in an experimental testing campaign. The results of this investigation, for example, how hot‐spots were detected or their impact on the output power of PV modules, may be of interest for the routine maintenance of large grid‐connected PV plants. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.