Progress in Photovoltaic System and Component Improvements

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

    Abstract

    The Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) project is a partnership between the U.S. government (through the U.S. Department of Energy [DOE]) and the PV industry. Part of its purpose is to conduct manufacturing technology research and development to address the issues and opportunities identified by industry to advance photovoltaic (PV) systems and components. The project was initiated in1990 and has been conducted in several phases to support the evolution of PV industrial manufacturing technology. Early phases of the project stressed PV module manufacturing. Starting with Phase 4A and continuing in Phase 5A, the goals were broadened to include improvement of component efficiency, energy storage and manufacturing and system or component integration to bring together allelements for a PV product. This paper summarizes PV manufacturers' accomplishments in components, system integration, and alternative manufacturing methods. Their approaches have resulted in improved hardware and PV system performance, better system compatibility, and new system capabilities. Results include new products such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed AC PV modules, modularinverters, and advanced inverter designs that use readily available and standard components. Work planned in Phase 5A1 includes integrated residential and commercial roof-top systems, PV systems with energy storage, and 300-Wac to 4-kWac inverters.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages8
    StatePublished - 1998
    Event2nd World Conference and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion - Vienna, Austria
    Duration: 6 Jul 199810 Jul 1998

    Conference

    Conference2nd World Conference and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion
    CityVienna, Austria
    Period6/07/9810/07/98

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/CP-520-23911

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