Abstract

Homogeneity and stability of thin-film photovoltaic modules are of key importance for their long life-time and successful competition with other photovoltaic technologies. We have exposed and tracked three commercially available thin-film modules in outdoor conditions during the first months of operation. Before the start and periodically in-between the outdoor operation in maximum power point condition electroluminescence (EL) inspection and standard test condition (STC) performance data were measured. While the initial efficiency of thin-film silicon (both amorphous as well as micromorph tandem) PV modules decreased (−12% and −7%, respectively), the CIGS PV module's STC conversion efficiency improved (+13%) during the period of the first 144 kWh/m2 of solar irradiation. Much larger changes of EL intensity compared to the initial STC efficiency decrease have been observed in both thin-film silicon and CIGS PV modules indicating much higher sensitivity of EL to the temporal changes during operation.

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