Outdoor Performance of PV Modules Made by Solarge

Abstract

Lightweight PV modules offer a solution to the constructional weight limitations of rooftops. PV modules made by Solarge are considered as one the lightweight PV module solutions. The aim of this thesis project is to analyse and compare the thermal- and electrical behaviour of the polymer modules with glass modules. Also, the thermal- and electrical behaviour of polymer modules with a white backsheet are compared with polymer module containing a black backsheet. First, an experimental setup was designed and installed. The PV modules selected for the installation were polymer and glass PV modules both containing half-cut cells. The white- and black backsheet polymer modules contained full PV cells. All PV modules had a pre-installation check with separate electroluminescence and indoor I-V measurements to determine the performance values under standard test condtions.
The first thermal- and electrical behaviour comparison was performed for the polymer- and glass modules over the period of 1 June till 30 September. It was found that increasing wind speed affects the cell temperature of glass modules most compared to the polymer modules. On the other hand, the level of irradiance affects most the cell temperatures of the polymer modules. Overall, it was found that the solar weighted average cell temperature was higher for the polymer modules, 39.1 - 39.3∘𝐶, compared to the glass modules, 36.9 - 37.2∘𝐶. Regarding the electrical behaviour, it was found that the mean energy yield of the polymer modules was 4.69% lower compared to the mean energy yield of the glass modules. Also the the glass modules had a higher daily performance ratio, 91.5 - 92.2%, compared to the polymer modules, 87.5 - 87.7%. Part of the difference in energy yield and performance ratio origins in the higher cell temperature for the polymer modules. However, a normalised current difference was found as well, that root in optical losses.
The second thermal- and electrical behaviour comparison was performed for the white backsheet and
black backsheet polymer modules over the period of 1 June till 30 September. It was found that
increasing wind speed affects the cell temperature of black backsheet polymer modules most compared to the white backsheet polymer modules. On the other hand, the level of irradiance affects the cell temperatures of the white backsheet- and black backsheet polymer modules with a comparable heating slope. Overall, it was found that the solar weighted average cell temperature was comparable with 8.3 - 38.7∘𝐶 for the white backsheet polymer modules and 38.1 - 38.7∘𝐶 for the black backsheet polymer modules. Regarding the electrical behaviour, it was found that the mean energy yield of the white backsheet polymer modules was 1.54% higher compared to the mean energy yield of the black backsheet polymer modules. Also, the white backsheet polymer modules had a higher daily PR, 87.7 - 89.1%, compared to the black backsheet polymer modules, 86.8 - 87.8%. The small difference in performance was not directly found in the normalised current and voltage. Measurement uncertainties are therefore seen as a possible root for this difference.