Quantifying the performance gain of 6-inch bifacial 4T pk-Si tandem modules

In order to further reduce the LCOE of PV, the conversion efficiency must increase beyond the practical limit of silicon technology (26% [1]). It is believed that tandem module technology, combining bottom c-Si cells with low-cost thin-film top cells, can overcome the silicon limit. Recently, bifacial glass/glass modules are gaining market share...

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...

Newborn blood spot screening for cystic fibrosis with a four-step screening strategy in the Netherlands

Background Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (NBSCF) was introduced in the Dutch NBS program in 2011 with a novel strategy. Methods Dutch NBSCF consisted of four steps: immuno-reactive trypsin (IRT), Pancreatitis-associated Protein (PAP), DNA analysis by Inno-LiPa (35 mutations), extended gene analysis (EGA) as fourth step and as safety net....

Comparison of Bifacial Module Measurement Methods with Optically Optimized Bifacial Modules

We characterize four types of bifacial modules with three different methods that have been proposed by the community. One method approximates rear irradiance with increased front side irradiance. The other two utilize light directly radiating on the rear side of the module. We describe the setup, the calibration, and the resulting errors...

Impact of inhomogeneous irradiance a the rear of panels on modelled biffacial energy yield

The inhomogeneity of the rear irradiance of bifacial PV panels and its effect on the power loss due to current mismatch was investigated by modelling. We have found that the inhomogeneity of the rear irradiance depends on orientation, elevation, and tilt angle of the panel and on irradiance conditions. Typically the inhomogeneity of the rear...

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...

Shade response of a full size TESSERA module

A full size TESSERA shade tolerant module has been made and was tested under various shadow conditions. The results show that the dedicated electrical interconnection of cells result in an almost linear response under shading. Furthermore, the voltage at maximum power point is almost independent of the shadow. This decreases the demand on the...

New module concept for aesthetic PV integration with better shadow performance

Tessera® is a new Si PV module concept especially developed to improve the integratability of PV. Tessera enables freedom of module size, shape and form and moreover has a high shadow tolerance. Where standard PV systems have a significantly reduced output under partial shading conditions, a shadow of 10% on a module can decrease the...

TESSERA: Maximizing PV yield performance with size flexibility for BIPV

Application of PV in the built environment, both as BAPV and BIPV, requires improved aesthetics, decreased operating temperatures of the modules and diodes, improved output under partial shading and reduced production costs while allowing the size and shape of the PV elements to be more flexible. ECN presents TESSERA: a novel PV module lay-out...

Tessera: Scalable, Shade Robust Module

This paper describes the development and output measurements on a new shade robust module, named the Tessera module. This module uses a novel electrical configuration, comprised of shade independent blocks protected by in-laminate diodes, with a mixture of series and parallel connections. By using ECNs existing back contact technology [1], no...

Shade performance of a novel high-voltage back-contact module

In this paper we present ECNs new high-voltage module concept which is based on MWT back-contact technology, and test its performance under shadow conditions. Controlled realistic shading tests were performed for three shade cases that are typical for PV applications in the built environment (a pole shade, a tree shade and a dormer shade). The...