Evaluation of four geomembrane-mounted PV systems for land reclamation in Southern Arizona

We describe four different photovoltaic (PV) systems that are deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include: two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies, and two different locations. We explain the different module mounting techniques that are unique to mine tailing sites. We also describe several failures that occurred during the first two years of operation. We present and validate predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance. We find PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are more structurally stable, and have fewer wiring failures.