Effects of degraded module on a photovoltaic solar system parameters and intrinsic degradation evaluation

Abstract

Solar cell technology uses solar radiation to produce electric current. High performance solar cells are manufactured on the basis of this technology using photovoltaic effect. However, degradations reduce solar modules performances. These degradations are caused by technical process during the cells produc- tion or can happen accidentally. The main goal of this work is to evaluate the effects of modules degra- dation on the electric parameters of a photovoltaic solar system. The study uses a system with four modules associated in series and parallels. One of the modules is degraded accidentally. This modeling study shows that the presence of a degraded module in a system reduces the performance of the solar pho- tovoltaic system. Intrinsic degradation takes place in the system in which a degraded module is inserted.

This intrinsic degradation is not negligible. This study also highlights differences between the electric cha- racteristics of modules associated in series from those associated in parallels. The study took place under low latitudes (Latitude: 12°N, Longitude: 358°E).