The key components of photovoltaic (PV) systems are PV modules representing basic devices, which are able to operate durably in outdoor conditions. PV modules can be manufactured using different ...materials by different fabrication technologies. The main criteria supporting or limiting a successful placement of particular technologies on the market is the cost of electricity produced by PV systems. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) method takes into account the investment cost, the operating costs, and the total energy produced during the system service life. The influence of price, efficiency and service life of PV modules on LCOE (together with the availability of materials) sets limits for applicable technologies.
Over the past 15 years a categorisation of generations of PV cell and module technology groups has been frequently used. The main features of individual technology groups are discussed from the view of the above criteria. Currently, PV modules are required to have: efficiency higher than 14%, price below 0.4 USD/Wp and service life of more than 15 years. At present, the wafer-based crystalline silicon technologies have best met the criteria due to their high efficiency, low cost and long service time; and due to the abundance of materials, they are set to lead in future PV power generation.
Electrical engineering; Energy; Environmental science; Photovoltaics; PV technology; Crystalline silicon PV modules; Thin film PV modules; PV module service life; PV module price; Levelized cost of energy
This paper presents an analysis, assessment, and investigation of the degradation performance of the monocrystalline silicon PV modules with two glass types (Float, Textured) exposed outdoor for ...eleven years under Mediterranean climate conditions in northern Algeria, Bouzareah city, Algeria. In this regard, several protocol tests, experimental and measurement procedures have been developed according to IEC 61215-2 requirements in order to inspect the performance of deployed PV modules by considering their glass types. Where, they have been the subject of several PV inspections such as visual, electrical, PV characterization, and temperature coefficients and thermographic …etc. The inspections, classifications, and statistical analysis results reveal that the deployed PV modules with two glass types suffer mainly from optical failure occurrences. The measured electrical PV parameters (Pmax,Isc,Voc, and FF) of the deployed PV modules have been reduced with annual degradation (1.04%/year, 0.5%/year, 0.3%/year, and 1.04 %/year). In the same way, the temperature coefficients have been influenced by the PV modules degradations as well. Besides, some of the deployed PV modules characteristic curves suffered from inflex point’s exhibition. The thermal inspections show that the deployed PV modules regardless of their glass types caused by the inhomogeneity distribution of the optical failures are significantly affected by minor temperature mismatch. This paper investigates and discusses as well several correlation proposals between the presented PV inspections by considering multiple impacts between these inspections and the performance of the deployed PV modules with their two glass types in view to better understand the PV module degradation.
Field generated data for single-axis-tracker (SAT) photovoltaic (PV) modules, subjected to the semi-arid Northern Cape region of South Africa, is presented. Experimental dust mitigation methods and ...the effects of dust soiling on PV module performance are explored. In particular, the use of a hydrophobic anti-soiling coating and a unique SAT self-cleaning manoeuvre was investigated. The SAT results are further compared to six coated and uncoated stationary PV modules. For the performance comparisons, maximum PV module power output was determined from current-voltage (I–V) curves extracted from each individual PV module. This work further presents a novel I–V curve fitting algorithm, which improves measured I–V curve data resolution for precise maximum power point extraction. The PV module performance comparisons were executed with a performance ratio metric, which is defined as the irradiance and temperature corrected performance factor of a PV module. Contrary to the initial research hypothesis, the hydrophobic anti-soiling coating was found to promote dust soiling. The SAT self-cleaning manoeuvre further delivered unique insights regarding the effects of dew water on dust soiling and displacement. Finally, also unique to the research presented here, is the formal description of infield observations made regarding dust deposition.
This paper describes photovoltaic (PV) module architectures with parallel-connected submodule-integrated dc-dc converters (subMICs) that improve efficiency of energy capture in the presence of ...partial shading or other mismatch conditions. The subMICs are bidirectional isolated dc-dc converters capable of injecting or subtracting currents to balance the module substring voltages. When no mismatches are present, the subMICs are simply shut down, resulting in zero insertion losses. It is shown that the objective of minimum subMIC power processing can be solved as a linear programming problem. A simple close-to-optimal distributed control approach is presented that allows autonomous subMIC control without the need for a central controller or any communication among the subMICs. Furthermore, the proposed control approach is well suited for an isolated-port architecture, which yields additional practical advantages including reduced subMIC power and voltage ratings. The architectures and the control approach are validated by simulations and experimental results using three bidirectional flyback subMICs attached to a standard 180-W, 72-cell PV module, yielding greater than 98% module-level power processing efficiency for a mismatch less than 25%.
Photovoltaic (PV) waste, associated to the exponentially growing PV installations on global scale, presents today an emerging environmental challenge but also brings unprecedented and multifold value ...creation opportunities. In this context, significant PV business and research and development (R&D) efforts shift towards establishing a more sustainable, environmentally friendly and economically viable end‐of‐life (EoL) management for PV modules: including recycling, recovery of raw materials, repair/refurbishment and even re‐use of decommissioned or failed PV modules. In the CIRCUSOL project, PV partners aspire to formalize the repair/refurbish and re‐use value chains in the PV industry and propose a circular business model, based on a product‐service system (PSS). Towards these goals, this review study introduces the relevant research groundwork, a status overview and today's R&D and business challenges in PV recycling, repair/refurbishment and re‐certification aspects for second‐life PV modules. The topics and the relevant reported literature are examined from both circular economy and technology perspective. The review indicates a considerable technological and operational know‐how in PV EoL management that already exists and continuously evolves in mature PV markets. On the other hand, R&D in repair/refurbishment of decommissioned and/or failed PV modules remains scarce, and best practices and commercial services for reliability testing/re‐certification and trading of second‐life PV modules are neither standardized nor consolidated into any PSS or business model.
The current technology status, best practices, and research/pilot efforts in PV recycling are reviewed and discussed, in both technical/technological terms and from a circular economy perspective. The technical/business landscape and best practices in PV repair/refurbishment, as well as in qualification testing for second‐life PV, are reviewed and examined, in both technical and circular economy terms. Next and beyond this review, the technical challenges and innovation opportunities towards second‐life PV business are also outlined. As such, the additional value creation opportunities stemming from PV re‐use (second‐life) or recycling are identified.
The growth in photovoltaic (PV) module installations over the past decade has prompted a critical need to examine the economic implications of snow accumulation on solar energy production. The aim of ...this study is to quantify the economic impact of snow accumulation on PV modules in different regions and environmental conditions and to identify effective mitigation strategies for enhancing power generation efficiency and reliability of PV systems. It was found that snow accumulation on PV modules can lead to annual losses of 1% to 12% depending on the environmental conditions and geographic location. A financial analysis related to maintenance costs associated with snow accumulation on PV modules is also presented. A two-fold methodology of quantitative data analysis and interviews conducted with PV system operators is used for this purpose. In addition, the extent of snow accumulation financial losses in the U.S. is categorized based on the snowfall amount and solar market segment, suggesting an annual loss of at least USD 313M in utility and residential solar sectors. Furthermore, various currently employed active and passive snow mitigation strategies are presented in detail, describing their shortcomings and advantages. Finally, prospects on the need for developing reliable and cost-effective snow mitigation strategies for solar panels are discussed, paving the path for future studies.
Considering the fast pace of the development of the Photovoltaic (PV) market and the installations in last two decades and also the increasing scarcity of resources for semiconductor materials, ...recycling waste PV modules including thin film is very important. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are extensively used as front contact electrodes in thin-film photovoltaic devices. The paper presents, the new strategies developed to extract TCO coated glass from thin film amorphous silicon PV end-of-life modules. The recycling of thin film PV modules is based on a very simple approach that includes chemical, thermal and mechanical treatments. Optimised solutions of 1 M NaOH and 1 M KOH were used to extract TCO coated glass. The feasibility of the processing steps was demonstrated on laboratory scale size module and the etching rate for P, I, and N-layers of amorphous silicon is also studied. The extracted TCO was identified as fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) using X-ray diffraction and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques. The laser scribed FTO glass was successfully extracted without damaging the properties of the material. The extracted FTO has very low resistivity and sheet resistance in the range of 10−4 Ω-cm and 11.74 Ω/sq. respectively, has uniform transmission throughout the measured film surface of 2 cm2 in the visible region having bandgap ∼3.8eV. The recycling cost and current market value of the recycled FTO are also estimated for all the installed capacities of amorphous silicon. Considering the TCO properties, extracted FTO has the potential for its reuse in the fabrication of new thin film PV modules and other optoelectronic device applications as well.
Display omitted
•A new strategy is developed to recycle end-of-life amorphous silicon thin film PV module.•TCO coated glass with laser-scribed lines is recovered from the discarded amorphous silicon thin film PV module.•The properties of extracted TCO are matched with the reference TCO, which confirms that the extracted TCO material is FTO.•Extracted FTO shows potential for its use in PV applications directly.•An attempt is made to estimate the market value of the recycled FTO for all the installed capacity of amorphous silicon.
Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) is an emerging technology that has experienced significant growth in the renewable energy market since 2016. It is estimated that technical improvements along with ...governmental initiatives will promote the growth rate of this technology over 31% in 2024. This study comprehensively reviews the floating photovoltaic (FPV) solar energy conversion technology by deep investigating the technical advancements and presenting a deliberate discussion on the comparison between floating and ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems. Also, the economics and environmental impacts of FPV plants are presented by introducing the main challenges and prospects. The FPV plants can be conventionally installed on water bodies/dam reservoirs or be implemented as multipurpose systems to produce simultaneous food and power. Installing FPV modules over water reservoirs can prevent evaporation but penetration of solar radiation still remains an issue that can be eliminated by employing bifacial PV modules. The salt deposition in off-shore plants and algae-bloom growth are other important issues that can degrade modules over time and adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem. The capital expenditure (CAPEX) for FPV systems is about 25% higher than ground-mounted plants, mainly due to the existence of floats, moorings, and anchors. It has been stated that the capacity increase of FPV plants (ranges from 52 kW to 2 MW) can intensely decrease the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) up to 85%. It is estimated that FPV technology can become more affordable in the future by further research, developments, and progress in both technology and materials.
A procedure of simulation and modelling solar cells and PV modules, working partially shadowed in Pspice environment, is presented. Simulation results have been contrasted with real measured data ...from a commercial PV module of 209
Wp from Siliken. Some cases of study are presented as application examples of this simulation methodology, showing its potential on the design of bypass diodes configuration to include in a PV module and also on the study of PV generators working in partial shading conditions.
The present experimental investigation aims at improving the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels using a combination of low-cost aluminum reflectors, aluminum sinks and phase change ...material (PCM) mixed with Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle. Three PV panels (i.e., referenced, PV/PCM, and PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles) were used for the experimental studies to assess their electrical, exergy studies, entropy generation, economics, and energy payback time performance. According to the results, the PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles system led to a temperature reduction of 28.3% compared to the referenced module, whiles the PV/PCM cooling method led to a reduction of 16.5%. On the average, the maximum power output for the PV/PCM and reflector/PCM/nanoparticles increased by 12.18% and 18.16%, respectively, compared to the uncooled PV panel. It was also found that the levelized cost of energy (LCE) for the reflector/PV/PCM/nanoparticles system was lower in both scenarios compared to that of the PV/PCM and referenced PV panels. The variation between the energy payback time (EPBT) for the reflector/PV/PCM/nanoparticles and reference PV panel was insignificant. Finally, based on the environmental analysis, it can be concluded that the reflector/PV/PCM/nanoparticles system can achieve higher CO2 avoidance rates (18.75%) than that of the PV/PCM system (10%), compared to the simple PV panel system.
•The effect of temperature on the efficiency of PV modules was assessed.•The impact of PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles on PV module temperature were analyzed.•The PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles cooling approach was identified as the optimum system.•Electrical improvement of 7.18% was obtained for the PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles.•The PV/reflector/PCM/nanoparticles system recorded the highest carbon avoidance rate.
PDF
