Photovoltaic Module Reliability Workshop

300 Pages·1990·15.289 MB·English

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i SDEER9I1/CP0-0-2211230-407 9
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i----- - PHOTOVOLT "AIC MODULE .......
_ RELIABILITY WORKSHOP
I October 25-26, 1990
i ....... ii Sheraton i Inn Lakeiiiiwi oodi_=/Liakiieiwi ooiidiii , liColor.[adio iii .. i
I Edited by: Laxmi Mrig (SERI)
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Sponsored by
Solar Energy Research Institute
under contract to the
I U.S. Department of Energy
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l BI$']'IIIBUTIONOF"I'I-IISDOCUr_:II_STUNLIMITED
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I'REFACE
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The papers and presentations compiled in this volume form the Proceedings of the fourth
I in a series of Workshops sponsored by SERI/DOE tinder the general theme (_fphotovoltaic
module reliability during the period 198_)-1990.
I Tanhde ereffliicaibeinlictyy ooff mPVodumleosduilfest/hsyestPemVstechisnoelxocgeyedinhgaslytoimmpaokretanat maaljoonrg imwpitahctthein itnhietiaplowcoesrt
generation market, and for it to compete with the conventional electricity producing
t tfeecwhnyoeloargsiesa.s eTvhiedenrceelidabilibtyy woafrrpahnotiteosvoltaavicailabmleoduolens choamsmperrocgiarelssemdodsuilgensificoafntalys loinngtheasla1s2t
years. However, there is still need for substantial research and testing required to improve
module field reliability to levels of 30 years or more.
Several small groups of researchers are involved in this research, development, and
meleocntirtiocrinugtilitaiecstiviatnyd aortohuenrsd atrhee ewngoarlgde.d Ininththee Up.hSo.t,ovPoVltaimcanureflaicatbuirlietrys, resDeOarEch laabnodrattoesriteinsg,.
This group of researchers and others interested in this field were brought together under
I SreElaRteI/dDOtEo cursrpeonntsorinshfoiprmatitoonexcinhanthgies itmheportteacnhtnicfaileld.kn'To'wheledpgaepersandpresfeienltdedexpheerrieencreeflecats
this effort.
I
Laxmi Mrig
Workshop Chairman
i SERI
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i TABLE OF CONTENTS
I Paqe
i Session I" Module Performance and Field Experience
An Update on Performance Trends at PVUSA
Tim Townsend and Paul Hutchinson, Endecon; Steve Hester,
PG&E ............................ . 1
Module Field Experience With Austin's PV Plants
i John Hoffner, City of Austin Electric Utility Department . 0 . 17
Performance and Reliability of a 15 KWp Amorphous Silicon
Photovoltaic Array in Florida
l GCoebnitnedr; AtCmharriasmty anHderiBgi,ll FlMoarriidoan, PoFwleorridaCorpSoorlaatrionEnerg.y...... 25
I EPahroltyovolEtxapiecriencPersojectof the 15 kW NMPC Demand-Side Management
Bruce Bailey, Richard Perez, John Dory, Kurt Elsholz and
William Huse, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation ........ 47
i Ronald Stewart, Associated Weather Services, Inc.;
Three Year Performance and Reliability Analysis of a 4kW
I AmorphoRuosb-eSritlicPornatt, PhTohteovoDlettariocit SEydsitseomn CionmpMaincyhiga.n.......... 53
Failure Modes and Qualification
Photovoltaic Concentrator Module Reliability"
" Elizabeth Richards, SaNdia National Laboratories ....... 61
The World is for but is
I Ready PV PV Ready for the World?
John Schaefer, Electric Power Research Institute ....... 73
l Session 2" Module Research and Testing
The Use of Indoor Light Soak [)ata to Project End of Life
Dennis Cunningham and J. Morris, Solarex ........... 79
I Output Power of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Solar Modules
CuInSe 2 Module Environmental Reliability
I Daanlde A1TarRraamnots,, RSoibeemretns GaSyo,larJeaInnduHsutmrmieels, C.y.n.t.h.i.a....J.e.nsen 93
I ReliabiJl.itGyrez,StuJd.iesKoleosfarEuraenkda FrMaondkulesKampas, Chronar Corporation . 107
Reliability of Thin Film Mod_ £es
i Encapsulation and Termination Processes for High
Gilbert Duran, UPG ..................... 12].
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Photovoltaic Power Systems and The National Electric Code
John Wiles, New Mexico State University .......... 123 i
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Stability Results on CdS/CdTe Submodules
Scot Albright and R/%odes Chamberlin, Photon Energy, Inc. . . 137
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Factory and Field Text Experience From PVUSA
Steve Hester, PG&E; Walt Stolte and Bill Clements,
Bechtel; Tim Townsend and Paul Hutchinson, Endecon ..... 145 I
Session 3: Module Design and Encapsulation Research
Possible Causes of EVA Degradation in PV Modules i
A1 Czanderna, Solar Energy Research Institute ....... 159
Field Test Results for the 6-MW Carrizo Solar Photovoltaic
Power Plant
Andrew Rosenthal and Cary Lane, New Mexico State
University ......................... 217 ,i
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Mirror Madness
John Kusianovich, Carrizo Solar Corp ............ 241
Solarex Experience with EVA Encapsulation i
John Wohlgemuth and Raymond Petersen, Solarex
Corporation ........................ 247
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Spire's Experience with EVA Lamination/Curing
Mike Nowlan, Spire Corporation ............... 259 D
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Recent Generic Studies of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
(EVA) Degradation
John Pern, Solar Energy Research Institute ......... 279 I
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| "_ Sessi.on 1:
| Module Performance, and Field Experience
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