Study of the Degradation of PV Modules Installed in West Africa

Abstract

In this paper, the degradation rate of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous PV modules is studied in a sub-Saharan zone in three periods: cleaning, no cleaning and rainy season. Studies that have been shown have increased series resistance. This is how the different cleaning phases of the crystalline module to the thin layer for not having decreased the maximum power of the module. Thus, the cleaning of the crystalline technology modules should be once a week and the micro-amorphous, once every three weeks. It is therefore preferable to observe a much longer cleaning period. It is confirmed in this study that soiling increases the rate of power degradation but that the modules are less affected by soiling under intense lighting. Our results are confirmed by other works [6]. Moreover they agree above 700 W / m², the impurities on very little influence on the maximum power of the modules, while below 400 W / m², the fall was about 25% of the initial power.