Outdoor test results and model verification of aesthetics PV facade

The need for a more sustainable built environment is urgent and requires cost-efficient, smart and integrated renewable energy solutions. The surfaces of the buildings and environments we live and work in represent an enormous potential to generate sustainable energy. In order to exploit these surfaces to their full potential, it is essential to...

Opti-Shade. de optimale systeemconfiguratie in geval van schaduw

Zonnepanelen worden goedkoper en worden daardoor steeds vaker ook geïnstalleerd op plaatsen met schaduw. Door de schaduw wordt de opbrengst van het systeem lager en kunnen zogenaamde hotspots in de beschaduwde cellen van de zonnepanelen optreden. Optimizers kunnen de energieopbrengst van zonnepanelen met schaduw verhogen en het optreden van...

Selective deployment of power optimizers: effect of shade on performance and hotspots in PV modules

The most simple grid connected PV system consists of a series connection of PV modules, connected to a string inverter. The power output of such a system can be sensitive to shade on a PV module. Also limited shade on a part of a cell can lead to high temperatures in that shaded cell, a so-called hotspot. The effect of shade can be reduced by...

Brandincidenten met fotovoltaïsche (PV) systemen in Nederland: een inventarisatie

In 2018 zijn branden met fotovoltaïsche (PV) systemen veel in het nieuws geweest. In het voorjaar van 2018 hebben branchevereniging Holland Solar en TNO hierover contact gehand en vervolgens heeft Holland Solar contact opgenomen met RVO. Daarna heeft RVO aan TNO de opdracht gegeven een inventarisatie te verrichten. Gevraagd is of er een ‘gemene...

Bifacial Module Testing

Bifacial modules, capable of additional power generation from the rear side, are a promising technology for increased energy yield compared to standard PV (monofacial) modules and with a low added cost. In order to provide customers and end-users confidence in the bifacial products now available on the market a clear laboratory test is needed...

Cell to module gains for high efficiency back contact cells

Back contact cells architectures, especially Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC), offer the potential for the highest efficiencies, best aesthetics, and application flexibility. Foil-based back contact module interconnect for these architectures has been shown to be a high throughput, industrially viable, and reliable solution for both IBC and...

Successful Module Hot Spot Testing of 120 ppma Carbon Contaminated Silicon Feedstock

Several options for solar grade silicon feedstock have been investigated over the years to bring down the costs of silicon wafers. Generally the resulting silicon contains higher levels of impurities, the level depending on the refining processes. In this work wafers from a p-type mc-Si ingot made with feedstock contaminated with 120 ppma of...

Accurate yearly yield calculation using PV module fingerprint method applied for MWT, H-pattern and thin film modules

The yearly yield of a module in kWh/kWp depends on the module, the mounting of the module and the location. Accurate models for the calculation of the yearly yield can be very detailed and require many parameters. The parameters of these models are often difficult to determine. Simple models are often not very accurate. In this paper, a method...

DH test of a Femtogrid power optimizer and microinverter under operation

In order to facilitate the installation of PV systems, it is expected that power optimizers and microinverters will be integrated in the PV module, the so-called Smart PV module. For integrated electronics in PV modules no IEC standard is available yet, but it is likely that the damp heat test at 85°C and 85% relative humidity of the...

Performance and safety aspects of PV modules under partial shading: A simulation study

The effect of partial cell shading on module and systems has been investigated by electronic circuit simulations. The shaded cells transition from generation to dissipation, with increasing shadow fraction has been analyzed in detail. High shunt resistance cells show a maximum dissipation point (MDP) at low shadow fractions (5-18%), while low...

Reliability and energy output of bifacial modules

Although flash tests under standard test conditions yields lower power due to transmittance of the back sheet, bifacial modules are expected to outperform their monofacial equivalents in terms of yearly energy output in the field. We compare flash tests for bifacial modules with and without a light scattering panel directly behind the modules: 3...

Back Contact Module Technology

Back contact modules manufactured with MWT cells comprise a higher efficiency than standard x-Si modules made with H-patten cells, due to low fill factor losses of only 0.8%. The cell-module concept is a truly integrated concept with a simplified manufacturing process. The modules show high stability in reliability testing, with only 1.9% loss...

Characterization of full size MWT back contact and H-pattern modules by outdoor IV-tracing measurements and explanation of the difference in energy yield

ECN has developed modules with Metal Wrap Through (MWT) cells glued on a electrical conductive Back Contact (BC) foil. The properties of the MWT-BC modules and a standard H-pattern module were investigated by outdoor IV tracing measurements. For both modules, the short circuit current is linear with the irradiance. The power output of the MWT-BC...

How conductive adhesives contribute to hetero-junction module technology

Silicon hetero-junction solar cell technology has the potential to obtain high efficiencies with thin wafers. This requires low stress and low-temperature interconnection of individual cells at module level. Also, hetero-junction cells are known to be susceptible to moisture ingress inside the module. Single cell modules have been manufactured...

Hetero-Junction Module Technology

Silicon hetero-junction solar cell technology has the potential to combine high efficiencies with thin wafers. Cell efficiencies of 21 % can be achieved on 170 micron thick wafers. A significant reduction of the cost-performance ratio can be realized if these fragile cells are integrated reliably in solar modules. This requires low stress and...

Fuel cell stack operation on clean fuel gas from rejects of paper recycling

Recycling of paper for the production of new paper and cardboard produces a stream of rejects, mainly various plastics mixed with wood fibers and inorganic material. The rejects can be used as fuel with reasonably high calorific value. However, precautions have to be taken to prevent corrosion of equipment and limit flue gas emissions. The aim...