Early degradation of photovoltaic modules

based on n-type solar cells

Gilberto Figueiredo, Marcelo Almeida, Roberto Zilles

INTRODUCTION LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS

The work presents the investigation of the in field early degradation
of photovoltaic modules installed at a 156 kWp grid connected
installation located in the south hemisphere. The operation started in
2014 and the generator is composed of n-type monocrystalline
silicon solar cells. The field measurements revealed a homogenous
degradation over the strings of the installation after two years of
continuous operation. Also, the patterns on electroluminescence
images and IxV curves measurements showed characteristics of
ageing due to moisture ingress.
Some samples were collected from the field for further investigation
at the laboratory. A solar simulator was used for IxV curves
measurements and a modified photo camera for the
electroluminescence (EL) images of the PV modules to help on the
diagnosis of the degradation sources. The most degraded modules
presented considerable dark regions and a brighter area close to the
bus bar because of the current concentration, image patterns are
very similar to samples submitted to a DH cycle

Overview of the 156 kWp PV installation.

(a) (b) (c)
Power loss respect to module’s rated power: (a) 38%, (b) 26% and (c) 9%.
FIELD MEASUREMENTS

A performance assessment was conducted at the PV installation

one and a half year after the beginning of the operation. It was
measured 146,7 kWp of installed power, which represents a 6%
deviation from the nominal power. It is important to notice that the
instrumentation used in the measurements was installed at the dc
side of the inverter, so the results take into account the losses due to
module mismatch, dc cabling, MPPT and soiling, as the generator
was not cleaned since the start of its operation. None evidence of
early degradation was detected during this first measurements
campaign, but recent IxV measurements revealed severe loss of
generation capability up to 16%.
Degradation evolution of a single module over a 2-year period.

StrBox 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 Total
CONCLUSIONS
Pdc
13,7 13,0 13,0 12,0 13,4 12,7 13,4 12,8 13,3 13,3 130,6
(kWp) • The importance of initial surveillance of a grid connected PV
Per string IxV measurements of the 156 kWp PV installation. installation to detect unexpected initial degradation is presented
on this work.
• Periodical measurements in the first years of operation: visual
inspection, IR images and IxV curves on field are normally part of
predictive maintenance routine and the measurements must be
recorded for further analysis.
• Laboratory measurements with EL images are also helpful to
investigate the causes of the degradation.
• In this study, moisture ingress is the main source of the
degradation process.
• Differences on Pmp up to 5% were found between operating
modules positively and negatively biased. Polarization can also
affect this technology, but it is less severe than PID of p-type PV
modules and saturates at low degradation rates.
• Quality control of the products is extremely important. In addition,
warranty conditions must protect the investor against the
Individual string IxV measurements showing the power reduction over a 3-month occurrence of unexpected early degradation and consequent
period. poor performance.

Laboratório de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos

Instituto de Energia e Ambiente
Universidade de São Paulo