Papers by Keyword: Photovoltaic Module

Abstract: Numerous strategies exist for improving maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques, which vary in terms of tracking speed, accuracy, sensor usage, complexity, and cost. Due to the importance of sustainable energy use and related challenges, it is essential to choose an appropriate algorithm that can reliably provide energy without exhausting resources. While much research has examined the benefits and drawbacks of different MPPT algorithms, guidance on selecting the best suited algorithm for a particular solar system application is lacking. For a fair and thorough comparison, this study analyzes four MPPT algorithms, including two artificial intelligence-based techniques, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and a conventional technique. A decision matrix model and requirement analysis are used to determine their suitability for a standalone PV application, using particularly ranked evaluation criteria, which include tracking efficiency, implementation costs, rise time, settling time, tracking error and variance. Simulation results show that the perturb and observe technique has the fastest settling and rise times and high tracking efficiency for varying irradiance and temperature levels, with little implementation effort required for a stand-alone photovoltaic application.

Abstract: This study presents the results of visual and infrared (IR) inspection of photovoltaics (PV) technologies installed at the Qatar environment and energy research institute (QEERI) outdoor test facility (OTF) at Qatar Foundation (Doha, Qatar). Silicon based PV technologies which have been operational in the field since 2014, have been investigated for various failure modes. The visual inspections were carried out for all the PV modules from the backside however, the inspection from the front side was not possible for some modules due to heavy soiling. The visual defects which were identified during this study include, cracking of the back glass, yellowing of the encapsulant material, cracks formation in the back sheet, and pits formation in the back sheet. The visual inspection revealed that around 19 % of the total modules have back sheet cracking and discoloration, 8 % have yellowing of the encapsulant, and around 4 % were having pits in the back sheet. Moreover, one module was detected with back glass cracking. The IR inspection was also done both from front and backside for all the silicon PV modules to detect hot spots. The IR inspection has revealed that hot spots were generated at different locations of the PV modules. 39 % of the modules have hot spots at the location of junction boxes, around 6 % of the modules have hot spots in junction boxes and around 1 % have hot spots at the locations away from junction boxes. The visual and IR inspection has revealed that the dominant failure modes which have been observed for silicon-based technologies at OTF are the hot spots generation at junction boxes and the back sheet cracking, and its yellowing.

Abstract: One of the most important steps during manufacturing of solar modules is lamination. This paper focuses on monitoring of behavior of used encapsulant Ethylene/Vinyl-Acetate (EVA) and impact on overall quality of module during lamination. Monitoring is performed by employing external thermocouple sensor inside the lamination chamber as well as by. Real-time analysis of the results helps to predict the quality of final product in terms of ensuring lamination quality in real time and provides possibility to tune the process during manufacturing cycle to achieve the best result of encapsulant cross-linking.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems have become recently the most attractive and promising technology compared with other solar energy conversion devices. Solar energy reaches the earth’s surface in wavelengths between 0.300 and 2.50 μm. Silicon based photovoltaic systems convert only the wavelength between 0.35 to 0.82 μm of solar energy to electricity. The rest of incident solar radiation will be converted to heat, which will increase the operating temperature of the device and decrease the output power and efficiency. Maintaining the operating temperature of the PV systems at low and desired value was the main emphasis of different researches through the last decades. In this research, a special transparent glass cover (STGC) was used in order to cool down the photovoltaic module and, therefore, increase the output power and the efficiency of the module. The result showed that STGC led to 2.75% improvement in open circuit voltage, 9.6% increase in short circuit current, 26.4% increase in the output power, and 3% increase in the efficiency of the module.

Abstract: This paper presents the investigation of partial shading characteristics of mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline photovoltaic module connected in series. Simulink models are developed to assist the investigation to determine the ideality factor for mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline photovoltaic module. Commercially available mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline photovoltaic module are used to extract measurable parameters for the model to study the behaviour of I-V curve. Measurements have been conducted for the investigation including mono-crystalline only, poly-crystalline only, both unshaded, mono-crystalline shaded and poly-crystalline shaded. This paper contributes to the understanding of partial shading characteristics of different materials presence in photovoltaic string.

Abstract: This paper firstly analysis the principle of three-phased photovoltaic grid-connected power system. Secondly, the 20KW photovoltaic power system will be given as an example to introduce the design strategy of photovoltaic modules. Also, the photovoltaic grid-connected inverter is designed, which includes its parameters calculation and components selection. Finally, the whole photovoltaic power system is designed and verified via the experiment. The result of the experiment shows the design is reasonable and reliable. The power system can achieve full power operation and satisfy its expected goal.

Abstract: The paper presents the modeling and simulation of the mechatronic tracking system used for a photovoltaic module. The mechanical model of the sun tracker is developed by using the MBS environment ADAMS, while the DFC software EASY5 is used for the control system design. The study is approached in concurrent engineering concept, integrating the mechanical and control models at the virtual prototype level. The main task of the design refers to the energetic efficiency, by maximizing the energetic gain (i.e. the solar input), and minimizing the energy consumption for performing the tracking. The design of the motion law is focused on determining the optimal actuating times, considering the energetic efficiency as design objective for the optimization.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module is an important part of photovoltaic power generation, so the quality and reliability of Photovoltaic modules directly determine the whole (PV) power system’s stability. Design a JN5139 as control core based on the solar Photovoltaic modules of WSN sensor node. This paper firstly analyzes the sun batteries testing principle, then from two aspects of hardware and software this sensor node in detail, including hardware JN5139 timing acquisition by the output of solar cell piece voltage, current and bypass the diode loop current, judge battery slice of actual work; Software from main program respectively, AD son conversion program, etc are introduced. With the data of experiment collecting, the node is analyzed and evaluated.

Abstract: To find out the important factors which decisively affect the soldering quality of photovoltaic modules, solar cells were soldered under different conditions (different temperatures, PbSn vs. SnAgCu solder, manual vs. semi-automatic). Experimental results show that the soldering quality of PbSn under 350°C in the semi-automatic soldering process was quite stable while the soldering quality of lead-free solder was generally unacceptable in the manual or semi-automatic process under different temperatures. This result indicates that the soldering process with lead-free solder still needs to be further improved. It was also found that most cracks were formed on the interface between the solder and the silver paste and then expanded outwards.

Abstract: Increasing the conversion efficiency of the solar energy into electricity is one of the most addressed topics in the field of renewable energy systems. In this paper, the pseudo-azimuthal tracking mechanism for a PV platform it was selected for presentation. The study is focused on the optimization of the mechanical device model of the tracking mechanism (developed with the MBS software environment ADAMS of MSC). The optimization is based on the parametrization of the model by using the design points that define the locations of the geometric constraints (i.e. the joints). The objective of the optimization is to minimize the motor force developed by the driving source, which is a linear actuator. In addition, a design constraint is used to limit (restrict) the value of the pressure angle. The optimization study leads to the minimization of the energetic consumption during tracking, with positive effect on the energy balance of the photovoltaic system with sun tracker.