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Results for “Photovoltaic Modules”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗
DOE OSTI2024

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗
DOE OSTI2024

Situated Visualization of Photovoltaic Module Performance for Workforce Development: Preprint

The rapid growth of the solar energy industry requires advanced educational tools to train the next generation of engineers and technicians. We present a novel system for situated visualization of photovoltaic (PV) module performance, leveraging a combination of PV simulation, sun-sky position, and head-mounted augmented reality (AR). Our system is guided by four principles of development: simplicity, adaptability, collaboration, and maintainability, realized in six components. Users interactively manipulate a physical module's orientation and shading referents with immediate feedback on the module's performance.

augmented reality↗
NASA NTRS1985

Amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules and test devices design, fabrication and testing

In July of 1984, Hughes and JPL initiated a contract for Hughes to design, fabricate and test 10 thin film Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) photovoltaic power modules. These modules were to be 1 ft x 4 ft in size. They were to be preceded by the delivery of 10 a-Si 4 in. square test devices. This effort is very timely since thin film PV development has progressed to the point where intermediate load power applications are on the horizon. It is important to know if current a-Si submodule design and manufacturing processes yield a product that is compatible with the packaging needed to meet a 20 to 30 year life span expectancy. The term submodule is assigned to an interconnected assembly of 28 a-Si cells deposited on a 1 foot square glass superstrate. These assemblies are equipped with electrical terminations, i.e., copper tabs at the four corners of the inverted submodules. It is these submodules that are to be interconnected and packaged into power modules, as opposed to the interconnected individual crystalline cells packaged into todays PV modules. A discussion of the fabrication methods and results follows.

Vanleeuwen, M.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Water intensity of photovoltaic module manufacturing at the terawatt scale

As the U.S. ramps photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing to the terawatt scale and emphasizes re-shoring manufacturing, potential regional impacts on the U.S. water supply should be considered, particularly since many PV companies rely almost exclusively on public water supplies for manufacturing. This work surveys the academic literature and PV manufacturer reports to estimate the water intensity of monocrystalline silicon, multicrystalline silicon, and cadmium telluride modules manufactured at the terawatt scale, determining that on average, cadmium telluride manufacturing is less water intensive on a per megawatt scale – this is anticipated to be true for all thin film PV manufacturing. While much lower than the water intensity of thermoelectric (e.g., coal) energy generation, significant issues and gaps with PV manufacturing data quality in academic studies are identified which cause estimates to vary by over 1000x (0.04 – 49 trillion liters/terawatt). Data issues are discussed and the need for accurate accounting of water resources (e.g., via continuous, updated information during PV manufacturing) is highlighted. The opportunity to reconfigure decommissioned thermoelectric sites to PV manufacturing is also explored. Finally, factors that influence PV manufacturing water intensity, from individual manufacturing steps to trends across the PV industry, are examined and water conservation opportunities are presented.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1982

Reliability and performance experience with flat-plate photovoltaic modules

Statistical models developed to define the most likely sources of photovoltaic (PV) array failures and the optimum method of allowing for the defects in order to achieve a 20 yr lifetime with acceptable performance degradation are summarized. Significant parameters were the cost of energy, annual power output, initial cost, replacement cost, rate of module replacement, the discount rate, and the plant lifetime. Acceptable degradation allocations were calculated to be 0.0001 cell failures/yr, 0.005 module failures/yr, 0.05 power loss/yr, a 0.01 rate of power loss/yr, and a 25 yr module wear-out length. Circuit redundancy techniques were determined to offset cell failures using fault tolerant designs such as series/parallel and bypass diode arrangements. Screening processes have been devised to eliminate cells that will crack in operation, and multiple electrical contacts at each cell compensate for the cells which escape the screening test and then crack when installed. The 20 yr array lifetime is expected to be achieved in the near-term.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electromigration in thin-film photovoltaic module metallization systems

Electromigration as a possible thin-film module failure mechanism was investigated using several specially made, fully aluminized thin-film photovoltaic (TF-PV) modules. The effect of electromigration, as determined experimentally by measuring increases in electrical resistance across scribe lines, can be expressed as the product of a damage function, which correlates degradation rate with operating conditions such as current density and temperature, and a susceptibility function, which is defined by module design parameters, particularly aluminum purity and the configuration of the intercell region. Experimental measurements and derived acceleration factors suggest that open-circuit failure resulting from electromigration should not be a serious problem in present state-of-the-art TF-PV modules. Nevertheless, significant intercell resistance increases can result from long-term electromigration exposure, especially in future high-efficiency modules. The problem can be alleviated, however, by appropriate metallization applications and/or proper design of the intercell region.

Wen, L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Determination of hot-spot susceptibility of multistring photovoltaic modules in a central-station application

Part of the effort of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Flat-Plate Solar Array Project (FSA) includes a program to improve module and array reliability. A collaborative activity with industry dealing with the problem of hot-spot heating due to the shadowing of photovoltaic cells in modules and arrays containing several paralleled cell strings is described. The use of multiparallel strings in large central-station arrays introduces the likelihood of unequal current sharing and increased heating levels. Test results that relate power dissipated, current imbalance, cross-strapping frequency, and shadow configuration to hot-spot heating levels are presented. Recommendations for circuit design configurations appropriate to central-station applications that reduce the risk of hot-spot problems are offered. Guidelines are provided for developing hot-spot tests for arrays when current imbalance is a threat.

Gonzalez, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Photovoltaic module and array reliability

Several statistical reliability studies have been conducted in areas of photovoltaic component design covering cell failure, interconnect fatigue, glass breakage and electrical insulation breakdown. This paper integrates the results from these various studies and draws general conclusions relative to optimal reliability features for future modules. The described analysis is based on designing for specified low levels of component failures and then controlling the degrading effects of the failures through the use of fault tolerant circuitry and module replacement. Means of selecting the cost-optimal level of component failures, circuit redundancy, and module replacement are described.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Assessment Of Advanced Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules

Computer program developed to estimate probabilistically total and component costs to end users of concentrating photovoltaic arrays in 1990's. Based on modified version of SIMRAND program, Simulation of Research and Development projects, -to estimate total cost of system for large number of module designs. Module design that yields minimum cost for total system then chosen as preferred design. To obtain distribution of expected module costs, simulation performed. Component estimates made by SIMRAND include efficiency of module and costs of cell, assembly of cells, lenses, and modules. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Borden, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermal and other tests of photovoltaic modules performed in natural sunlight

The bulk of the testing was the characterization of twenty-nine modules according to their nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT) and the effect on NOCT of changes in module design, various residential roof mounting configurations, and dirt accumulation. Other tests, often performed parallel with the NOCT measurements, evaluated the improvement in electrical performance by cooling the modules with water and by channeling the waste heat into a phase change material (wax). Electrical degradation resulting from the natural marriage of photovoltaic and solar water heating modules was also demonstrated. Cost effectiveness of each of these techniques are evaluated in light of the LSA cost goal of $0.50 per watt.

Stultz, J. W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

In‐Scribe Silane Bonding for Mechanical Reinforcement of Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules

Despite the extraordinary rise in power conversion efficiency over the last decade, metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaics remain more mechanically fragile than other PV technologies. In this work, the scribe area, created by the monolithic interconnection of thin-film solar cells, is used to extrinsically reinforce the mechanical robustness of packaged MHP solar modules. In contrast to the epoxy-based chemistries often leveraged in the MHP literature, silane-grafted polyolefin encapsulants are designed to form strong covalent bonds to oxide surfaces, specifically to glass and the transparent conductive oxide at the base of the scribe line. Pseudo-modules encapsulated with silane-grafted polyolefin are measured with more than an order-of-magnitude enhancement infracture energy from 0.27 ± 0.01 J·m −2 (no scribes) to 5.97 ± 0.42 J·m −2 (scribes perpendicular to delamination directioncovering ≈2.2% of the module area). The silane-grafted polyolefin retains strong adhesion even after undergoing an accelerated IEC 61215 thermal cycling test consisting of 250 cycles. We find that the in-scribe bonding allows perovskite modules to have adhesion strength comparable to commercial c-Si and CdTe technologies with only 5% reduction in the active module area. This manufacturing-compatible approach offers a practical solution to address the mechanical integrity challenges in MHP solar modules, regardless of cell architecture.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1980

Method of fabricating a photovoltaic module of a substantially transparent construction

A method characterized by the steps of positioning a plurality of uniformly dimensioned photovoltaic cells in registered relation with a plurality of openings formed in a planar tool is disclosed. The method allows acess to the P contact surface of each of the cells. The steps of the method are: (1) connecting the N contact surface of alternate cells to the P contact surface of the cells interposed therebetween, (2) removing therefrom residue of solder flux, (3) applying to the N contact surfaces of the cells a transparent adhesive, (4) placing a common transparent cover plate in engaged relation with the adhesive, (5) placing a film over the circular openings for hermetically sealing the openings, and (6) establishing a vacuum between the film and the cover plate.

Dillard, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Measurement requirements and techniques for degradation studies and lifetime prediction testing of photovoltaic modules

Tests of weathering and aging behavior are being developed to characterize the degradation and predict the lifetimes of low-cost photovoltaic arrays. Environmental factors which affect array performance include UV radiation, thermal energy, water, oxygen (generally involved in synergistic effects with UV radiation or high temperatures), physical stress, pollutants (oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and ozone), abrasives and dirt. A survey of photovoltaic array testing has shown the need to establish quantitative correlations between certain measurable properties (carbonyl formation, glass transition temperature, and molecular weight change) and modes of degradation and failure.

Noel, G. T.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Exploring Capability of Multimodal Foundation Model for Image-based Fault Detection of Photovoltaic Modules

Multimodal Foundation Model (MFM), like ChatGPT and Gemini, have emerged as powerful tools for their exceptional natural language processing capabilities and their emerging potential in image analysis. This paper investigates the application of MFMs for photovoltaic (PV) fault detection through image analysis, focusing on ChatGPT 4.0 and Gemini 1.5 Pro. Three types of PV images and the corresponding common PV faults are detected: bird droppings using visible images, cell cracks via electroluminescence (EL) images, and hotspots using infrared (IR) images. Among the two models, Gemini 1.5 Pro demonstrated superior performance, achieving near-perfect results with an average F1 score of 0.97, consistently outperforming ChatGPT 4.0 in accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional machine learning (ML) models, MFMs can operate in a zero shot manner that does not require additional training by the user, and the input images are not limited by size, angle, scope, or PV technology. The strong adaptability and user-friendliness make MFM a promising tool for analyzing PV images and advancing health monitoring for PV modules.

Li, Baojie↗
NASA NTRS1979

Environmental requirements for flat plate photovoltaic modules for terrestrial applications

The environmental test requirements that have been developed for flat plate modules purchased through Department of Energy funding are described. Concurrent with the selection of the initial qualification tests from space program experience - temperature cycling and humidity - surveys of existing photovoltaic systems in the field revealed that arrays were experiencing the following failure modes: interconnect breakage, delamination, and electrical termination corrosion. These coupled with application-dependent considerations led to the development of additional qualification tests, such as cyclic pressure loading, warped mounting surface, and hail. Rationale for the selection of tests, their levels and durations is described. Comparisons between field-observed degradation and test-induced degradation show a positive correlation with some of the observed field effects. Also, the tests are proving useful for detecting design, process, and workmanship deficiencies. The status of study efforts for the development of environmental requirements for field-related problems is reviewed.

Hoffman, A. R.↗