Power losses in PV arrays of field-aged modules

Abstract

Most of studies are focused mainly on performance degradation analysis of solar cell or categorizing PV failure modes concerning solely climate or cell-technology. However, the impact of degradation modules on output power of PV arrays remains somewhat unclear and has not been reported so far. Therefore, main task of the present work is to get a general view of mismatch effect on PV arrays output for aged panels. Photovoltaic current-voltage characteristics of the 10 individual modules at Research Unit in Renewable Energies in Saharan Medium were measured and recorded. Measurements are based on the analysis of mismatch losses due to series and parallel connection of aged PV modules. Degradation data and the analysis of the I-V characteristics indicate that the tested modules have suffered in the hot desert. Both of visual and electrical degradation data reaffirm the direct relation between observed physical degradation and output power drop. Results and analysis of the I-V characteristics and degradation data indicate that Power losses in crystalline PV modules are also due to mismatch in the I-V characteristics of these modules. The paper provides many findings that can be beneficial in further studies on design of aged PV array and development of a crystalline silicon PV module and can enable the manufacturers to prevent premature failure in desert climates.