A analysis group in Ghana has performed a sequence of checks to find out the efficiency of polycrystalline photo voltaic modules in PV programs which have been working of their nation for not less than 5 years. They discovered that almost all panels might ‘fail’ earlier than 20 years of operation underneath outside circumstances.
Researchers on the College of Vitality and Pure Sources (UENR) assessed the efficiency of various polycrystalline photo voltaic modules from 11 undisclosed producers and put in underneath the identical scorching and humid local weather circumstances in Kumasi, Ghana.
Their work analyzed, particularly, 48 photo voltaic panels from 12 totally different PV programs. “In every PV system, the stratified random sampling approach was used to pick 4 PV modules for testing,” they defined. “All programs are linked off-grid and put in on roofs for 5-9 years.”
The scientists determined to maintain the producers nameless and marked 12 websites with letters from A to L and mentioned that the panel’s energy output is from 100 W to 460 W. They created a visible inspection primarily based on a guidelines developed by the US Division of Vitality’s. Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL) and used a Seaward PV 210-meter automated IV Tracer to measure the efficiency of the panels.
They are saying that not one of the PV programs are uncovered to shading and that they’re all constructed with the identical set up and upkeep procedures.
Via testing, the scientists decided that the minimal degradation fee of the analyzed modules was 0.79%/yr, whereas the very best degradation fee was discovered to be 1.67%/yr. In addition they discovered that the modules deteriorated at totally different charges with deterioration charges between 0.78-1.95%/yr with a imply and median deterioration fee of 1.36%/yr and 1.38%/yr.
“Usually, PV modules from just one producer degrade under the guarantee fee of 0.8%/yr whereas modules from the remaining producers degrade above 1.0%/yr,” they mentioned, which states that 42 modules exceed the 1.0%/yr threshold. , which they are saying means these panels might “fail” earlier than 20 years of operation underneath Kumasi’s outside circumstances. “Of the 48 PV modules studied, 6 PV modules representing 12.5% are prone to function reliably for 20-25 years, with 4 PV modules representing 8.3% anticipated to realize guarantee interval of 25 years.”
The analysis workforce emphasised that photo voltaic panels from the producer with the very best imply degradation fee doesn’t imply that every one merchandise from this producer are of low high quality. It additionally mentioned that the speed of degradation is just not associated to the age of the modules and that the utmost energy degradation is principally because of the decreasing of the short-circuit present.
The teachers introduced their findings within the paper “Degradation evaluation of polycrystalline silicon modules from totally different producers underneath the identical weather conditions,” revealed in Vitality Conversion and Administration: X. “The outcomes of this examine are akin to the outcomes obtained within the degradation evaluation of polycrystalline silicon modules from totally different producers made in different international locations,” they concluded.
This content material is protected by copyright and might not be reused. If you wish to cooperate with us and wish to reuse a few of our content material, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
