Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) modules operate in an extreme environment and are exposed to radiation, humidity, and hot and cold thermal extremes. This paper focuses on polymeric-material degradation during PV-module operation at high ambient temperatures, high solar irradiance and low wind speed. The 2004 version of the IEC 61730 specification requires all polymeric materials used in a photovoltaic module to have a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) or Relative Thermal Endurance Index (RTE) at least 20°C greater than the maximum material temperature measured during the temperature test conducted at 40°C ambient. There is currently an international debate regarding this requirement. This paper explores the thermal exposure of photovoltaic modules in the field as a technical basis for this debate. For the hottest cities, the thermal exposure is found to be equivalent to aging at a constant temperature of 42-53°C, with maximum temperatures of 75°C.
Original language | American English |
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Pages | 2399-2404 |
Number of pages | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
Event | 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2009 - Philadelphia, PA, United States Duration: 7 Jun 2009 → 12 Jun 2009 |
Conference
Conference | 2009 34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2009 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Philadelphia, PA |
Period | 7/06/09 → 12/06/09 |
Bibliographical note
For preprint version see NREL/CP-520-45986NREL Publication Number
- NREL/CP-520-45644
Keywords
- IEC standards
- photovoltaic cells
- polymers
- solar cells