Ageing of Standard PV Module when Integrated in a V-trough Concentration System
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1210-Q08-05
Ageing of Standard PV Module when Integrated in a V-trough Concentration System
Filipa Reis1, Miguel C. Brito1, Victoria Corregidor 2, João Wemans2, Gianfranco Sorasio2 1
Faculty of Sciences of University of Lisbon, Ed. C8, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
2
WS Energia, Taguspark Ed. Tecnologia II Pavilhão 46, 2740-257 Porto Salvo, Portugal.
ABSTRACT Concentration photovoltaic (CPV) systems are seen as a shortcut to achieve lower photovoltaic (PV) electricity costs/kWh. Within the available CPV configurations, V-trough systems are likely to succeed in the short term since they are less demanding in terms of tracking accuracy and due to their ability to make use of standard PV modules, a well-known and developed technology. However, silicon standard modules were initially designed to operate under 1 sun conditions. They face some challenges when integrated in CPV systems. The present work aims to demonstrate that such application is efficient up to a few suns and also to analyze possible accelerated modules degradation rates. For such analysis we have used a prototype based on the DoubleSun® technology: a 1.9x concentration V-trough system, integrating 2-axis tracking system and making use of conventional silicon modules.
INTRODUCTION The growing interest on concentration photovoltaic (CPV) technologies begins with its potential to significantly reduce the PV electricity cost/kWh. The concept behind CPV is to use optical materials that enhance the radiation falling upon the cells which allows a reduction of its area for the same output power. It can be understood as a shift from the expensive PV converter material to reasonably priced optical solutions. Within the wide variety of CPV configurations that are on the table today, V-trough arrangement is highlighted as a short term solution. Two main reasons should be noticed: the optical configuration (generally reflective mirrors) which allows high homogeneity with moderate tracking accuracy avoiding prohibitively high costs of the final product; and the use of standard silicon solar cells, a technology with many years of given proofs and a well standardized industrial manufacture, benefiting from scale production. Based on these premises, the DoubleSun® technology consists on a 1.9x V-trough concentrator, with two flat mirrors (lightweight, highly reflective and outdoor resistant) placed along the standard PV modules (high efficiency monocrystalline technology with low temperature coefficient, since they are to operate under concentrated radiation), as showed in Figure 1. The system integrates a 2 axes tracking system that follows the sun, with an annual power consumption that corresponds to 0.3% of the annual expected system production [1]. The efficient application of standard modules in CPV systems is limited to a few suns. Ideally, as the radiation flux is enhanced through concentration, the current density increases, leading to a higher performance of the cell. However , such boost on radiation flux will lead to
new challenges: higher
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