Title:	Selective Deployment of Power Optimizers: Effect of Shade on Performance and Hotspots in PV Modules
Author(s):	N.J.J. Dekker, M.J. Jansen, A.R. Burgers, M.S. Dörenkämper, R. Jonkman, R. van der Ven, E. Gramsbergen
Keywords:	Degradation, Shading, System Performance, Inverter, Power Optimizer
Topic:	Photovoltaic Modules and BoS Components
Subtopic:	Inverters and Balance of System Components
Event:	37th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	4DO.7.4
Pages:	945 - 951
ISBN:	3-936338-73-6
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20202020-4DO.7.4
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper, presentation

Abstract/Summary:

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The most simple grid connected PV system consists of a series connection of PV modules, connected to a string inverter. The power output of such a system can be sensitive to shade on a PV module. Also limited shade on a part of a cell can lead to high temperatures in that shaded cell, a so-called hotspot. The effect of shade can be reduced by adding power optimizers per module, but in general this will add considerably to the system cost. Selective deployment of power optimizers, where only power optimizers are placed on PV modules which will have shade, is a possible lower cost solution for making a system shade tolerant with high performance and less risk on hotspots. In this paper the results are given of a comparison of PV systems without and with selective deployment of power optimizers. The performance of these systems as well as the occurrence of hotspots are compared under various shade conditions.