Different Types Of PV Modules Research Articles

Failures and performance of different aged PV modules operated under northern Algerian climate conditions: Analysis, assessment, and recommended solutions

This paper analyzes, assesses, and compares the failures and performance of various PV module types deployed at six PV installations located in different regions of northern Algeria, under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Qualitative data has been considered by selecting the best and worst-performing PV module samples for each of the six PV module types, along with other PV samples exhibiting specific permanent failures. Subsequently, the following IEC 61215 inspections were conducted: visual failures inspection, electrical performance inspection, thermal failures inspection, and insulation failures inspection. The results of these failure inspections indicate that different types of PV modules exhibit varying performance. Interestingly, the disparities are more pronounced between the PV module types than among the PV module samples within the same PV module type. This gap is at least ten times higher in terms of yearly degradation rates. However, some of the PV module types with high failure occurrence, severity, and exposure duration exhibit high performance compared to other types that have low failure occurrence, severity, and exposure duration. Meanwhile, there is no obvious and clear correlation between the different PV inspections, especially for PV module types. Thus, our analysis of the obtained results leads us to conclude that the significant disparity in failures and performance among the tested PV module types is primarily attributable to differences in their quality rather than the influence of local climate conditions or working conditions. Out of the six PV module types, only one will meet the 25-year warranty provided by the manufacturer, providing valuable insights into the prevalence of poor-quality PV modules in PV installations and those available in Algeria. Finally, a list of recommended solutions has been proposed to the Algerian government and other countries facing similar challenges to integrate into their national infrastructures and frameworks (quality, technical, qualification, and policies). These solutions aim to ensure the high quality, performance, and long lifespan of PV modules and PV installations.

Comparative study of compound parabolic concentrator - photovoltaic thermal – thermoelectric generator (CPC-PVT-TEG) collector integrated with vapour absorption refrigeration (VAR) system

ABSTRACT In this communication, a hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with the VAR system has been analyzed, taking into consideration 3 different types of PV modules based on their back cover material, namely Tedlar (Case 1), Aluminium (Case 2) and semi-transparent (glass to glass) (Case 3). The simulation of the whole system, including the hybrid collector and VARS, has been done for a clear day in May in New Delhi using MATLAB 2021b. A comparative study has been conducted between the three cases and based on the results obtained from the analysis, the overall exergy (EEX), overall exergy efficiency (ηEX), daily electrical energy and overall exergy attained their highest values for Case 2 [Aluminum based] with their values being 289.33 Wh, 28.92%, 2.37 kWh and 2.55 kWh, respectively. The coefficient of performance (COP), which is a measure of the refrigeration effect of the VAR system, attained its highest value for Case 3 [glass to glass based] at 1.28 and lowest value for Case 1 [Tedlar based] at 0.28. Also, from a purely overall exergy aspect, the aluminum-based hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with the VAR system (Case 2) is found to be the most suitable with exergy and exergy efficiency values and from the refrigeration as well as from a thermal exergy aspect, the semitransparent-based or glass to glass-based hybrid CPC-PVT-TEG collector integrated with a VAR system (Case 3) is found to be the most suitable.

Drone Powered by Solar Energy and Whale Optimization Algorithm

In this paper, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), a potent swarm intelligence technique that has been widely applied in numerous sectors, including the parameter identification of solar cells and PV modules, is discussed in this work. A unique modified WOA (MWOA) that introduces both a mutation method based on Levy flight and a local search mechanism of pattern search to better balance the exploration and exploitation of WOA. On the one hand, Levy flight can force the algorithm to abandon the local optimum and avoid stagnation; as a result, it can stop the algorithm from losing diversity and improve the algorithm's ability to conduct global searches. However, pattern search, a direct search technique, has a high convergence rate and good stability, which can increase local search efficiency. Therefore, the ability of WOA to find the optimal solution can be significantly increased by combining these two techniques. Additionally, MWOA may be used to determine the unknown parameters of two different types of PV modules under various light irradiance and temperature circumstances, as well as to estimate parameters in the single diode model (SDM), double diode model (DDM), and PV modules.

Aquavoltaic system for harvesting salt and electricity at the salt farm floor: Field test year-round operation results and power generation improvement strategies

In this research, we proposed a new concept for a solar system on a salt farm, where electricity and salt are produced simultaneously. In order to verify the concept, we installed a pilot system and demonstrated it for one year. We installed different types of PV modules for the system and tested the electrical properties, durability, and waterproofing of the modules. The electricity generation of the salt farm photovoltaic system is compared to land installed photovoltaic system for its feasibility. Also, computer simulation analyzed the installation angle, light loss, and cooling effect due to salt water and loss due to foreign substances. We found that the power generation by the year of the salt farm photovoltaic system is 9 percent less than that of a photovoltaic system installed on land. we also propose several methods in order to improve electricity generation by the salt farm photovoltaic system.

A modified stochastic fractal search algorithm for parameter estimation of solar cells and PV modules

In this work, a modified stochastic fractal search algorithm is proposed for effectively estimate the unknown model parameters of the single diode model and the double diode model of solar cells and photovoltaic modules. This algorithm modifies the diffusion process and the update processes of the original stochastic fractal search algorithm and employs a population size reduction mechanism and thus simplifies the implementation of the original algorithm and achieves better performance for the parameter estimation of solar cells and PV modules. Firstly, the algorithm is tested on three widely used estimation benchmark cases and compared with other seven state-of-the-art algorithms. The proposed algorithm shows its advantages in the aspects of accuracy, convergence speed, and stability over the other studied algorithms. In 100 independent runs with the maximum number of fitness function evaluations equal to 50000, the proposed algorithm achieved the best known solutions with 100% probability and the standard deviation of the 100 RMSE values is of the order of 10−17. Then, the proposed algorithm is used to estimate the unknown single diode model parameters and double diode model parameters of three different types of PV modules, i.e. Multi-crystalline S75, Mono-crystalline SM55, and Thin-film ST40 under different irradiance and temperature conditions, and the algorithm also achieves sufficiently accurate models. The root mean square of the error (RMSE) values between the obtained models and the actual current data are of the order of 10−2 or 10−3. In view of its effectiveness and practicability, the proposed algorithm can be used as a new tool for the parameter estimation of solar cells and PV modules.

Modelling and estimating performance for PV module under varying operating conditions independent of reference condition

Existing methods for parameter identification and performance estimation under varying operating conditions are accomplished in two steps: first, the model parameters are extracted under the prescribed reference condition; second, the model parameters under varying operating conditions are calculated based on the dependence of parameters on environmental conditions. There are two disadvantages for existing methods: the results are affected by the selection of reference condition, and the irradiance and temperature dependence of parameters are non-uniform for different types PV modules. This paper studies the effect of the reference condition selection and proposes a novel method for parameter identification and performance estimation under varying operating conditions. In the proposed method, a set of improved transformation equations are modified by considering both irradiance and temperature dependence for all parameters in single-diode model (SDM). Since the improved transformation equations are independent of reference condition, the effect of the selection of reference condition is eliminated. The coefficients of the improved transformation equations are extracted through guaranteed convergence particle swarm optimization technology from measured I-V curves under different operating conditions. The efficiency and accuracy of proposed method is validated by amount of experimental data under different irradiance and temperature conditions for different types of PV modules. The variations of SDM’s parameters by the proposed method have been investigated thoroughly and shown to be in accordance with the physical behavior of the PV devices. The proposed method can be further employed to simulate the performance of a PV module under real operating conditions and exhibits great accuracy and suitability.

Technical and Economic Analysis of Modernization of Solar Power Plant: A Case Study from the Republic of Cuba

The problem of increasing the efficiency of existing power plants is relevant for many countries. Solar power plants built at the end of the 20th century require, as their shelf lives have now expired, not only the replacement of the solar modules, but also the modernization of their component composition. This is due to the requirements to improve the efficiency of power plants to ensure the expansion of renewable energy technologies. This article presents a technical and economic analysis of the choice of solar power plant modernization method, which consists of (1) a method for calculating the amount of power generation; (2) the modeling of solar power plants under specific climatic conditions; (3) the analysis of electricity generation using different types of PV modules and solar radiation trapping technologies in Matlab/Simulink; and (4) the technical and economic analysis of a 2.5 MW solar power plant in the Republic of Cuba (in operation since 2015), for which four different modernization options were considered. All the scenarios differ in the depth of modernization; the results of the analysis were compared with the existing plant. The results of the study showed that the different modernization scenarios respond differently to changes in the inputted technical and economic parameters (cost per kWh, inflation rate, losses, and power plant efficiency). The maximum NPV deviations among the considered scenarios are: a 1% increase in inflation reduces NPV by 2%; a decrease in losses from 20% to 10% increases the NPV by 2.5%; a change in cost from EUR 0.05 to EUR 0.1 increases the NPV by more than 3.5 times. The dependence of the economic results was also tested as a function of three factors: solar module efficiency, inflation, and the price per 1 kWh. It was found that the greatest influence on the NPV of the proposed model is the price per 1 kWh. Based on this analysis, an algorithm was developed to choose the most effective scenario for the conditions of the Republic of Cuba for the modernization of the existing power plants.

Concise overview of BIPV systems and its future scope

Buildings are considered as a major consumer of electricity. It is said because 40% of the total energy produced is utilized by the buildings. Harnessing the solar energy by means of photovoltaics is seen as sensible option to meet out the buildings demand entirely or partially. Recent trends has seen BIPV systems as a viable option that not only enhances the aesthetics of the building but at the same time meets out the buildings energy demand. Apart from the aesthetics and electricity production, BIPV, which acts as an integral component of the buildings, reduces solar heat gain at the same time allowing daylight to enter into the building. This paper discusses the different cell technologies used in solar BIPV systems, different types of PV modules used for building integration, orientation and tilt angle optimization of panels, performance analysis with different case studies, cooling methods adopted in this technology and the main barriers that slows down the development of this system. Payback periods is also studied and discussed in this paper.

Modified Whale Optimization Algorithm for Solar Cell and PV Module Parameter Identification

The whale optimization algorithm (WOA) is a powerful swarm intelligence method which has been widely used in various fields such as parameter identification of solar cells and PV modules. In order to better balance the exploration and exploitation of WOA, we propose a novel modified WOA (MWOA) in which both the mutation strategy based on Levy flight and a local search mechanism of pattern search are introduced. On the one hand, Levy flight can make the algorithm get rid of the local optimum and avoid stagnation; thus, it is able to prevent the algorithm from losing diversity and to increase the global search capability. On the other hand, pattern search, a direct search method, has not only high convergence rate but also good stability, which can boost the local optimization ability of the WOA. Therefore, the combination of these two mechanisms can greatly improve the capability of WOA to obtain the best solution. In addition, MWOA may be employed to estimate parameters in single diode model (SDM), double diode model (DDM), and PV modules and to identify unknown parameters of two different types of PV modules under diverse light irradiance and temperature conditions. The analytical results demonstrate the validity and the practicality of MWOA for estimating parameters of solar cells and PV modules.

Comparison of different simplistic prediction models for forecasting PV power output: Assessment with experimental measurements

This paper tested the energy outputs of different types of PV modules and evaluated the accuracies of different simplistic PV module power prediction models. A test rig was developed in Hong Kong to assess the PV power outputs of ten PV modules. The solar radiation, ambient temperature and power generation are recorded. The evaluated models include simple efficiency model, temperature correction model and one-diode model. The results show that the mono-Si PV module is the highest in terms of the annual energy outputs per unit area, and a-Si PV modules is the lowest. The simple efficiency model overestimates the power output of all types of PV modules for more than 10% except for a CdTe PV module. The one-diode model demonstrated the highest accuracy for mono-Si and poly-Si PV modules. The accuracies of the evaluated models are low for thin-film PV technologies. Although the mean bias error of the one-diode model is larger than 10% for the thin-film PV modules (expect for one CdTe PV module), the one-diode model has the highest accuracy among the three models. Further studies should be conducted to investigate the energy performance of thin-film PV modules and then improve their prediction accuracy.

The effect of wind on the temperature distribution of photovoltaic modules

This paper discusses the thermal aspect of two different types of PV modules. The PV modules are categorised into two major groups: Frameless and Framed modules, and designing structure. Apart from the framed structure, thermal behaviour and its implicit effect on the system is also the key factor of the analysis. Two similar classes of modules are relatively examined and thereafter, are compared with differently manufactured (structure-wise) modules. Here, the framed modules, Solarex (pc-Si) and the RWE Schott Solar (pc-Si) are optically similar; whereas the Solar watt (c-Si) and the Duna Solar (a-Si) are frameless modules. A parallel dichotomy is established on the basis of the quality of the modules being used by the energy industry and the thermal response of the modules at the given conditions. The assessment of the PV modules is based upon the angular orientation of wind, thermal diffusivity of surface, thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient, inertial effect of surface, drag force, skin friction, and the thermal behaviour at vicinity of PV surface. The energy equation of the thermal boundary layer over the flat plate is used for thermal profiling of the different PV surfaces. From the experimental measurement, the ambience temperature, surface temperature and wind speed have been determined. The qualitative investigation of geometrically as well as structurally different solar modules is performed with the help of ODE45 application. The flow of air is laminar for all the modules and the drag force varies from 1.45 × 10−5 N to 2.10 × 10−5 N. Friction loss due to wind flow is found to be least for the Solar watt, while the wind orientation of 10° North of East keeps the temperature deviation of the surface from its ambience low for all the modules. The effect of the thermal boundary layer is relatively significant for the Solar watt and the RWE Schott solar modules. Hydrodynamic boundary layer formation has been demarcated from thermal boundary using Blasius and Pohlhausen’s solutions for momentum and energy equations of fluid past a flat surface.

Comparative study of photovoltaic thermal (PVT) integrated thermoelectric cooler (TEC) fluid collectors

In this research, photovoltaic thermal integrated thermoelectric cooler (PVT-TEC) collector has been analyzed, considering three different types of PV modules, namely opaque, semitransparent and Aluminium base. The analysis is based on two models namely, thermal model and artificial neural network (ANN) model. The advantage of ANN model is that it does not require several parameters and complex calculations, unlike thermal model. The performance of opaque PVT-TEC collector [Case 1] has been studied by considering air [Case 1a] and water [Case 1b] as working fluids. The overall electrical efficiency and thermal efficiency of [Case 1b] is greater than [Case 1a] by 1.9–2.8% and 20.8–21.8%, respectively. Also, the impact of base cover material of PV module has been discussed by evaluating and comparing the performances of [Case 1b] opaque PVT-TEC water collector, [Case 2] semitransparent PVT-TEC water collector and [Case 3] Aluminium base PVT-TEC water collector. The results demonstrate that the daily overall electrical energy gain, daily rate of thermal energy gain and daily overall exergy gain is the highest for [Case 3] Aluminium base PVT-TEC water collector. Further, the results calculated from thermal model have been compared with ANN model and a fair agreement has been achieved.

CFD prediction of dust pollution and impact on an isolated ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system

Abstract This paper numerically studied dust deposition behaviors and their influences on an isolated ground-mounted solar PV system. The shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model with user-defined function inlet profiles was established to predict turbulent air flow around solar PV system. Moreover, discrete particle model was employed to predict dust deposition rates on PV panel. After grid independent study and numerical validation with related experimental data, turbulent wind flow fields around solar PV system, dust deposition rates on PV panel with different dust diameters and wind velocities as well as their influences on the output efficiency for different types of PV modules were predicted and analyzed carefully. The results showed that dust deposition rate on PV panel first increases and then decreases when dust diameter increases. However, the dust deposition profiles are similar for different wind velocities. The highest deposition rate is 13.71% for 100 μm particles when UHp = 1.3 m/s (UHp is wind velocity at solar PV panel height) while is 14.28% for 150 μm particles when UHp = 2.6 m/s. The effects of interception, gravitation and mass inertia are the main mechanisms for dust deposition. Furthermore, dust deposition effect on PV output efficiency was predicted by a simplified model based on present computational fluid dynamics simulation and experimental measurement.

Outdoor measurement of mono and poly c-Si PV modules and array characteristics under varying load in hot-humid tropical climate

This paper introduces the outdoor performance of mono and poly c-Si PV modules and array under hot-humid tropical climate. An experimental setup which is portable and flexible is designed for assessing the performance of PV modules under any climate at any location. In this paper, two different types of PV modules were chosen and their outdoor performance is assessed based on various parameters. These parameters include open circuit voltage, short circuit current, maximum power output of a PV array or module, fill factor, I-V and P-V characteristics, and efficiency. Studies were carried out in four different cases: In case 1, only mono crystalline silicon (mono c-Si) PV module parameters were measured with respect to step variations in load. In case 2, only poly crystalline silicon (poly c-Si) PV module parameters were measured with respect to step variations in load. In case 3, one mono and one poly c-Si modules were connected in series combination. In case 4, one mono and one poly c-Si modules were connected in parallel combination. Experimental results shows the performance comparison of two different types of PV modules under similar outdoor field condition in case 1 and case 2. Similarly case 3 and case 4 reveal the performance comparison of series and parallel combination of PV modules. Finally, efficiency of PV module and array, fill factor, I-V and P-V characteristics in each case is analyzed. Influence of outdoor field conditions on these parameters were also investigated, paving a way for efficient utilization of available mono and poly crystalline PV modules for solar power generation.

An Introduction to Dynamic Load Test on Photovoltaic Modules

The front cover of solar photovoltaic modules is mostly made of 3.2mm, 2mm or thinner glass. When under wind or other dynamic loading stress, the performance of the PV modules might be affected. This article analyzed data of dynamic load test on several different types of PV modules, and got the conclusion that the dynamic load stress could harm the string ribbon or interior circuits of the PV modules, and would therefore lead to capacity reduction and less insulation.

An Accurate Modeling of Different Types of Photovoltaic Modules Using Experimental Data

In this paper an approach to model different types of PV modules using single diode model is presented. The proposed method utilizes the characteristics of diode ideality factor, shunt resistance and series resistance independently for developing accurate solar PV model. Apart from this, the proposed model utilizes experimental values obtained from the solar array simulator for validating the proposed approach. The procedure mainly focuses on developing an accurate method for thin film solar modules using a simplified approach. The proposed model is implemented in MATLAB and is verified with existing model. The experimental results are obtained from a 2 Kw CHROMA solar array simulator.

Luminous and solar characterization of PV modules for building integration

The optical characterization of different PV modules for integration in buildings (BIPV) is presented in this paper. The investigated PV modules are laminated glasses (PV laminates) suitable for integration in façades and windows. They are made of different PV cell technologies and some of them present a certain transparency degree, making possible to combine daylighting properties with solar control and electrical generation. The approach is based on spectral UV/vis/NIR reflectance and transmittance measurements of the different considered samples, both at normal incidence and as a function of the angle of incidence when it is possible. The European standard protocols are used to determine the luminous and the solar characteristics of each sample, enabling the optical assessment of these PV modules as building elements. The results indicate the good properties of PV laminates in terms of daylighting and solar control capabilities allowing a feasible efficient integration in building façades and windows. The obtained characteristic parameters can be used to simulate the influence in the energy balance of a building of different types of PV modules integrated in façade or window elements.

Performance of Nine Different Types of PV Modules in the Tropical Region

Performance of Nine Different Types of PV Modules in the Tropical Region

A Proposed Model of Photovoltaic Module in Matlab/SimulinkTM for Distance Education

This paper define a circuit-based simulation model for a PV cell in order to allow estimate the electrical behavior of the cell with respect changes on environmental parameter of temperature and irradiance. An accurate PV module electrical model is presented based on the mathematical equations. The general model was implemented on MATLAB/Simulink environment, and accepts irradiance as variable parameters and outputs the I-V characteristic. A particular typical solar panel was used for model evaluation, and results was compare with points taken directly from the manufacturer's published curves and show excellent correspondence to the model. With this proposed module different types of PV modules could be developed and students could be investigate and learn the P-V or V-I characteristics easily. Furthermore, a by-pass diode is added to the PV cell design with this addition, in different insulation combinations will be able to investigate likewise partial shade.

Energy matrices analyses of hybrid photovoltaic thermal (HPVT) water collector with different PV technology

In this paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate and compare the energy matrices of a hybrid photovoltaic thermal (HPVT) water collector under constant collection temperature mode with five different types of PV modules namely c-Si, p-Si, a-Si (thin film), CdTe and CIGS. The analysis is based on overall thermal energy and exergy outputs from HPVT water collector. The temperature dependent electrical efficiency has also been calculated under composite climate of New Delhi, India.It is observed that c-Si PV module is best alternative for production of electrical power. Maximum annual overall thermal energy and exergy is obtained for c-Si PV module. The maximum and minimum EPBT of 1.01 and 0.66years on energy basis is obtained for c-Si and CIGS respectively, whereas on exergy basis maximum EPBT of 5.72years is obtained for a-Si and minimum of 3.44 in obtained for CIGS PV module. EPF and LCCE increase with increasing the life time of the system.