Title

Evaluation Of High-Temperature Exposure Of Rack-Mounted Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) modules operate in an extreme environment and are exposed to radiation, humidity, and hot and cold thermal extremes. This paper focuses on polymeric-material degradation during PV-module operation at high ambient temperatures, high solar irradiance and low wind speed. The 2004 version of the IEC 61730 specification requires all polymeric materials used in a photovoltaic module to have a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) or Relative Thermal Endurance Index (RTE) at least 20°C greater than the maximum material temperature measured during the temperature test conducted at 40°C ambient. There is currently an international debate regarding this requirement. This paper explores the thermal exposure of photovoltaic modules in the field as a technical basis for this debate. For the hottest cities, the thermal exposure is found to be equivalent to aging at a constant temperature of 42-53°C, with maximum temperatures of 75°C. ©2009 IEEE.

Publication Date

12-1-2009

Publication Title

Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

Number of Pages

2399-2404

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2009.5411307

Socpus ID

77951590625 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/77951590625

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