Outdoor Monitoring And High Voltage Bias Testing Of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Modules - Year IV, Final Report

Currently, the work consists of the study of outdoor testing and monitoring of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules of CdTe, CuInGa1-xSe2-ySy (CIGSeS), and a-Si:H fabricated by First Solar (Glass/CdTe/Glass), Shell Solar (Glass/CIGSeS/Glass), United Solar (a-Si:H on flexible substrate), and Energy Photovoltaics (Glass/a-Si:H/Glass) with one additional crystalline silicon module in the hot and humid climate of Florida. The First Solar, Shell Solar, United Solar and Energy Photovoltaics modules are divided in two sets. The modules in these sets are connected in series so as to build maximum open circuit voltage of less than +600 V or -600 V with respect to ground with a load resistor and a current measuring shunt. The negative terminal of one of the two sets of each type is connected to the ground and thus the modules in these arrays are at a positive bias with respect to the ground potential. These arrays are deployed on the FSEC outdoor test facility as a positive array. The positive terminal of the other sets of each type is connected to the ground and thus the modules in these arrays are at a negative bias with respect to the ground potential. These arrays are deployed at the FSEC outdoor test facility as a negative array