Effect of negative potential on the extent of PID degradation in photovoltaic power plant in a real operation mode. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hylský, Josef; Strachala, Dávid; Vyroubal, Petr; Čudek, Pavel; Vaněk, Jiří; Vanýsek, Petr
• Is Part Of: Microelectronics and reliability. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Potential induced degradation -- Negative voltage potential -- Photovoltaic power plant -- SolidWorks simulation -- Photovoltaic modules; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability -- Periodicals; Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Appareils électroniques -- Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Équipement électronique miniaturisé -- Périodiques; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability; Miniature electronic equipment; Periodicals; 621.3815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microrel.2018.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-2714

Abstract

Abstract: This paper deals with Potential Induced Degradation (PID) of p -type monocrystalline PV modules (Evergreen) from a photovoltaic power plant that has been in operation mode for 7 years. Within the PV module affected by the PID degradation, the effect of the electric field on individual PV cells is studied. The distribution of the electric field was simulated by SolidWorks software. The results show a random distribution of affected PV cells not related to the size and distribution of the electric field intensity. Furthermore, the dependencies of negative voltage potential on the range of PID degradation of individual PV modules located in the negative pole of the PV string is made. From measured current voltage characteristics (measured at STC), it is evident that the value of negative voltage potential is not directly proportional to the PID occurrence. These results are supplemented by electroluminescence images which confirm this finding. Highlights: The PID affection of PV cells isn't proportional on the el. field intensity distribution but on the PV cell susceptibility. The claim that the most affected PID modules are at the highest negative potential in the PV plant string is wrong. The extent of PID in the negative part of string is random and PV modules performance cannot be predicted in advance. It is not possible to precisely determine the magnitude of the negative voltage required to initiate the PID.