Field Comparative Study of Monocrystalline Si, CdTe Thin Film and a-Si Thin Film Grid Connected PV System in Thailand

This paper aims to investigate the performance of a 20 kWp grid connected PV system which consists of monocrystalline-Si, CdTe thin film and a-Si thin film solar arrays and grid connected type inverter operated under the environment of Thailand. Results showed that solar radiation intensity was the main factor affecting the yield of each solar array. The final yield of monocrystalline Si, CdTe thin film and a-Si thin film solar arrays were in the range of 2.44-3.57 h/d, 2.38-3.56 h/d and 2.40-3.58 where the performance ratio of monocrystalline-Si, CdTe thin film and a-Si thin film solar array were in the range of 55-59%, 54-58% and 55-59% respectively. The average efficiency of the solar array was 9.78% for monocrystalline-Si, 5.33% for CdTe thin film and 4.62% for a-Si thin film. Finally, the average system efficiency was 6.72% for monocrystalline-Si, 3.50% for CdTe thin film and 3.17% for a-Si thin film.