Title :
Design and operation of grid-interactive thin-film silicon PV systems
Author :
Marion, Bill ; Atmaram, Gobind ; Lashway, Clin ; Strachan, John W.
Author_Institution :
Florida Solar Energy Center, Cape Canaveral, FL, USA
Abstract :
Results are described from the operation of 11 thin-film amorphous silicon photovoltaic systems at three test facilities: the Florida Solar Energy Center, the New Mexico Solar Energy Institute, and Sandia National Laboratories. Commercially available modules from four US manufacturers are used in these systems, with array sizes from 133 to 750 W peak. Measured array efficiencies are from 3.1 to 4.8%. Except for one manufacturer, array peak power is in agreement with the calculated design ratings. For certain grid-connected systems, nonoptimal operation exists because the array peak power voltage is below the lower voltage limit of the power conditioning system. Reliability problems are found in two manufacturers´ modules when shorts to ground and terminal corrosion occur. Array leakage current data are presented.
Keywords :
amorphous semiconductors; elemental semiconductors; semiconductor thin films; silicon; solar cell arrays; solar cells; space vehicle power plants; 133 to 730 W; 3.1 to 4.8 percent; Florida Solar Energy Center; New Mexico Solar Energy Institute; Sandia National Laboratories; amorphous Si solar cells; array peak power voltage; earthing; leakage current; power conditioning system; reliability; semiconductor; terminal corrosion; Amorphous silicon; Laboratories; Manufacturing; Photovoltaic systems; Power conditioning; Power system reliability; Semiconductor thin films; Solar energy; Test facilities; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1988., Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Las Vegas, NV, USA
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1988.105862
