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Generalized quantitative electroluminescence method for the performance evaluation of defective and unevenly degraded crystalline silicon photovoltaic module
Journal
Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications
ISSN
10627995
Date Issued
2023-03-01
Author(s)
Puranik, Vishal E.
Kumar, Ravi
Gupta, Rajesh
Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) module experiences multiple cell defects and degradation in a field operation, which significantly reduces module output. Hence, quantitative assessment of a PV module is essential to ensure module operation within a desirable limit. This article proposes the generalized quantitative electroluminescence (g-QUEL) method to evaluate the performance of a defective and unevenly degraded PV module from the EL images. Four module classes are considered from the view of field applications, such as new, PID-s affected, field aged shunted, and nonshunted modules. The effects of defects and degradation on fundamental cell electroluminescence (EL) characteristics and constants are analyzed for each class. Based on this analysis, the g-QUEL method is developed, which utilizes module multiple EL images, datasheet information, and terminal voltage measurements for quantification. First, a test module is qualitatively assessed to identify the present defects and classified into one of four classes. In the second part, the g-QUEL algorithm is applied to a test module in a customized manner to extract five or seven parameters of a PV cell. Subsequently, a single or two diode model simulation is carried out at a module, submodule, or cell level to estimate module output by generating I-V curve. Experimental verification of the proposed method was conducted on five test modules of each class. Results demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the g-QUEL method as it evaluates the output power of new to field-aged modules with a relative error ≤±3%.
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