Title:	Bifacial Gains and Reliability of Different Cell Technologies in Atacama Desert
Author(s):	J.-F. Lelièvre, H. Colin, R. Couderc, D. Muñoz, A. Halm, R. Kopecek, A. Henriquez, P. Ferrada, E. Fuentealba, F. Valencia, E. Urrejola, R. Soulas
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	PV Module Design, Manufacture, Performance and Reliability
Event:	38th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	4AV.1.30
ISBN:	3-936338-78-7
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	poster

Abstract/Summary:

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This work describes a methodology to design and optimize photovoltaic (PV) modules tailored for high radiation and desert conditions. On the one hand, industrial-size modules as well as mini-modules were fabricated, installed and monitored at Atacama desert solar platform (PSDA) in order to get representative real data of PV systems and modules during one year (up to now). On the other hand, mini-modules were fabricated and tested through an innovative indoor accelerated ageing test protocol developed to simulate Atacama harsh desert conditions. As a starting point, the first generation industrial-size modules installed at PSDA had passed previously the standard IEC61215 certification process. Nevertheless, from first year outdoor monitoring and indoor accelerated ageing tests, the durability of this module configuration appears to be insufficient for high radiation and desert conditions. A second generation of industrial-size PV modules was then designed and fabricated, based on high reliability and durability criteria obtained from indoor tests. Meanwhile, additional mini-modules were fabricated to further test both improved accelerated ageing sequences and new module configurations. The combined results of indoor and outdoor tests performed on these mini-modules will give strong arguments to select the best module configuration for next generation desert PV module, with the additional objective of minimizing LCOE.