Analysis of thin film photovoltaic modules under outdoor long term exposure in semi-arid climate conditions. (15th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tahri, Ali; Silvestre, Santiago; Tahri, Fatima; Benlebna, Soumia; Chouder, Aissa
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 157(2017)
• Page Start: 587
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2017-11-15
• Subjects: Thin-film -- PV modules -- Degradation rate (DR) -- Semi-arid climate conditions; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.08.048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Highlights: Degradation analysis of thin film PV modules deployed under semi-arid climate in Algeria. Two thin film PV technologies are analysed. The period under scrutiny ranges from January 2014 to December 2016. Degradation rates, stabilization periods and evolution of the fill factor of the PV modules are evaluated. Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of long term outdoor exposure of two thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) module technologies deployed in semi-arid climate in Saida city located in Algeria. The TFPV modules are: a-Si:H/μc-Si:H (micromorph) and copper indium selenide (CIS). The TFPV modules were characterised by measuring their I-V curves during three years under the same outdoor climate conditions, where the measurement of weather parameters were also performed. The goal of the analysis is to evaluate the degradation rates of the TFPV modules in semi-arid climate. The analysis is based on two techniques, the effective peak power of PV module and power irradiance technique. It was found that TFPV modules CIS and micromorph exhibit a degradation rate of −2.34%/year and −1.73%/year respectively. The calculated degradation rate for CIS technology is higher than those reported in the literature for locations in Europe and lower than those for locations with hot and humid conditions. In the opposite the degradation rate of the micromorph was lower than those given in the literature.