Characterisation of degradation of photovoltaic (PV) module technologies in different climatic zones in Ghana

Abstract

Degradation of photovoltaic (PV) modules depends on technology and environmental conditions. This study characterised the degradation rates of different PV module technologies in three climatic zones in Ghana to determine the technology that would suffice specific environmental conditions in Ghana. The study sampled 104 PV modules of different technologies and ages from 16 PV systems in these climatic zones. The study employed current–voltage (I-V) curve tracing for data collection. The results revealed that the median power degradation rates of monocrystalline silicon modules were least with 0.76%/year and 1.39%/year in Dry Equatorial Climatic Zone and Interior Savannah Climatic Zone respectively, followed by polycrystalline silicon modules with 1.31%/year, 1.35%/year and 1.57%/year in Dry Equatorial Climatic Zone, Wet Semi Equatorial Climatic Zone and Interior Savannah Climatic Zone respectively and highest in amorphous silicon modules with 1.62%/year and 1.67%/year in Dry Equatorial Climatic Zone and Interior Savannah Climatic Zone respectively. The same module technology degraded differently within the same climatic zone, and from one climatic zone to another. Module degradation rates also varied from one location to another. However, crystalline silicon modules performed creditably in all the climatic zones and thus, could suffice better in these climatic zones in Ghana than amorphous silicon modules.