Materials, Processes and Testing Laboratory. Technical progress report, March-June 1980

Abstract

The US Department of Energy has set a 20-year lifetime goal for terrestrial photovoltaic modules. In its capacity as a Photovoltaic Field Test and Application Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory has established various experimental test sites, ranging in size from 0.1 to 100 kW of peak power, throughout the United States. The sites contain modules from several manufacturers and serve as test beds for photovoltaic system components. The activities of the Materials, Processes and Testing Laboratory of the Solar Photovoltaic Field Tests and Applications Project during the four-month period 1 March 1980 through 30 June 1980 are summarized. During this period, site evaluations at test facilities in Chicago, Illinois; Bryan, Ohio; Mead, Nebraska; and Natural Bridges National Monument (NBNM), Utah, were conducted. Current-voltage (I-V) curves were generated for all branch circuits at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and at NBNM. Module failures at the UTA and NBNM were analyzed. Two versions of a new type of photovoltaic/thermal air collector were visually analyzed. Two liquid PV/T collectors from the same manufacturer were subjected to degradation analyses. The Lincoln Laboratory Large-Area Pulsed Solar Simulator (LAPSS) was relocated and recalibrated.