measuring photovoltaic module degradation in an iso …€¦ · accredited testing services provide...

CONTACT US

Measuring Photovoltaic module degradation in an ISO 170252017 accredited Testing Laboratory

Presented by Dr Jacqui Crozier McCleland

Test and Measurement 2019 Conference and WorkshopMisty Hills Conference Hotel Muldersdrift Gauteng

17 September 2019

CONTACT USINTRODUCTION

bull Renewable energy is a growing industry in South Africa

bull The Department of Energyrsquos Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) has announced approximately 6225MW of installed photovoltaic capacity since 2011

bull PV plant owners developers and operators normally require that a sample of modules will need to be tested for conformation to specification

bull Between the manufacturer of the modules and the operator of the plant there lies a key gap independent verification of the performance of the product (ie the actual PV modules) before installation on site as well as during the operation of the facility

CONTACT USABOUT US

T0700

The PV Research Group at Nelson Mandela

University has a well-established position in the

South African market in terms of using existing- and

developing new PV characterisation techniques

Spin-off company from Nelson Mandela University

Situated in Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape

Established to conduct product testing and

verifications of photovoltaic modules according to

IEC 61215 international standard as well as our in-

house procedures in our ISO 17025 accredited

laboratory

CONTACT USOUR EXPERTS

Our specialists are a team of

Physicists with decades of experience in the PV field

Researchers strong research background and links to the PVRG at the Nelson Mandela University

Backed by a strong team of technicians and PhD students of Nelson Mandela University trained to perform the tests according to IEC standards and in-house procedures

PVRG PV Research Group


One key factor of reducing the costs of photovoltaic systems is to increase the reliability and the service life time of the PV modules

Todayrsquos statistics show degradation rates of the rated power for crystalline silicon PV modules of 08year

[DC Jordan SR Kurtz Photovoltaic Degradation Ratesmdashan Analytical Review Prog Photovolt Res Appl (2011) doi 101002pip1182 ]

CONTACT USIntroduction ndashModule Degradation

With the rapid growth of the PV industry and the increased return of investment expectations

Reliability is neither defined nor covered by the existing IEC standards

Discuss how to Measure and Monitor Module degradation

CONTACT USSERVICES In-Lab Tests

Visual Inspection

Max Power Determination

Electroluminescence [EL] Imaging

Thermographic [IR] Imaging

Electrical Insulation

T0700

Conduct performance testing of PV modules according to the relevant IEC 61215 standards as well as in-house standard tests

CONTACT USSANAS 170252017 Accreditation

PV Testing Lab Scope of Accreditation

Materials Products Tested

Type of Tests Properties Measured Range of Measurement

Standard Specifications Techniques Equipment Used

Crystalline Silicon Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules

Visual Inspection PVTL_PROC_09 (IEC 61215-section 101)

Maximum Power PVTL_PROC_10 (IEC 61215 -section 102)

Electrical Insulation Test PVTL_PROC_11 (IEC 61215-section 103)

Thermographic Inspection In-house Procedure -PVTL_PROC_13

Electroluminescence Imaging In-house Procedure -PVTL_PROC_12

T0700

CONTACT USIn-Lab Test Visual Inspection according to IEC 612152005

The purpose of this test is to identify and locate visual defects that could have affected the performance of the PV module

CONTACT USIn-Lab Test Maximum Power (Flash Test) according to IEC 612152005

Measurement of the Current-Voltage (I-V) Characteristics of PV modules done using an indoor solar simulator

Flash simulator conforms to class AAA referring to

bull Spectral match 075 ndash 125

bull Spatial non-uniformity lt plusmn 2

bull Temporal instability lt plusmn 2

Measurement Uncertainty 28-3 depending on reference module

Solar Simulator

Description Solar Simulator

MakeManufacturer Optosolar GmbH

Model SOL2m2m

Class AAA rated to IEC 60904-9 for Spectral Match Non-Uniformity of Irradiance and Temporal Stability

Serial No SOL2m2m20070502

Calibration Deutscher Kalibrierdienst Calibration Certificate D-K-20571-01-00 Date


Measurement of the Current-Voltage (I-V) Characteristics of PV modules done using a mobile solar simulator

LED simulator conforms to class A+A+A+ referring to


Solar Simulator

Description Solar Simulator - Full spectrum long pulse LED Flasher

MakeManufacturer MBJ Services GmbH

Model Mobile PV Lab 30

Class A+A+A+ rated to IEC 60904-9 for Spectral Match Non-Uniformity of Irradiance and Temporal Stability

Serial No 5001_Ute MBJ-2018-042

Calibration

MBJ Test Report Mobile PV Lab 30

Report No 500120190314 Hamburg March 2018

Test date 08032019

Accepted for use in accredited tests by SANASndash Sept 2019

CONTACT USYearly assessment of Degradation

bull Year on year analysis of results able to identify small degradation with time

bull Outliers can be further investigated with complementary lab techniques

bull Low uncertainty is needed to assess yearly degradation

bull Testing Labs- Pmax Uncertainty +-3bull Best Calibration labs ndash 16

Pmax

Isc

Voc

CONTACT USBasics of EL Setup

Figure 43 Schematic of EL experimental setup The equipment used is the same for high

resolution and low resolution imaging The EL Setup consists of the following

components

bull a Camera with appropriate lenses

and filters

bull a Dark roomlow light environment

bull an appropriate power supply and

bull appropriate structure to hold the

module and camera such the

optical axis of the camera shall be

placed perpendicularly and as close

as possible to the module face to

image the solar cell or module area

CONTACT USIn-Lab Tests Electroluminescence Imaging

EL imaging is a fast effective techniques for assessing the quality of PV modules

EL imaging at 10 IscEL imaging at 110 Isc



bull Critical 20 or more cell area affected (gt=20)

bull Major between 10- 20 cell area affected (gt=10 amp lt20)

bull Minor between 0-10 cell area affected (gt0 amp lt10)

bull Uncritical no cell area affected

bull Other (possible impact on performance)

bull Other (No impact on performance)

CONTACT USHow to compare Different EL setups - Sharpness

EL Setup A BLevel Module ModuleCamera Detector CCD sensor CMOS Cameras 1 4Images per module 1 12Camera Resolution (H x V pixels) 1024 x1024 2048 x 1536Light Conditions Low Light Dark RoomPixel Size [mm] 205 027Sharpness Class B A

CONTACT USOnsite Testing

bull To determine the cause of module degradation and look for other causes of poor performance Onsite testing is necessarybull String Measurementsbull Thermographic Inspectionbull UV bull Onsite EL

bull Statistical Analysis of SCADA data pinpoint problems on large-scale PV plants bull Plant performance can be affect by other issues not related to Module performance

bull Shadingbull Mechanical Damagebull Poor Cleaning Routine

CONTACT USOnsite Thermography

Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)

Reference module Defective module

Reference Defective Difference ()

Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06

Immp (A) 80 64 -20Monphias Vumbugwa Correlation of Photovoltaics plant performance metricsldquo MSc Thesis Nelson Mandela University 2018

CONTACT USON-SITE TESTING String and Module Electroluminescence Imaging

In-Situ EL inspections

Pre-installation Warehouse inspections


CONTACT USON-SITE TESTING Ultraviolet Fluorescent (UV-F) Imaging

CONTACT USMobile Lab ndash

CONTACT USConclusions

Accredited testing services provide accurate and reliable results for degradation

Onsite Testing can assess performance reliability and durability of a PV power plant and identify under-performing modules and defects to ensure reliable energy production

Selected Testing services are available and can be performed on-site in order for insurers developers to verify performance and determine reasons for non-performance

041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza

Photovoltaics Testing Laboratory (PVTL)Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus (CSIR)Gomery Avenue SummerstrandPort Elizabeth South Africa340022248degS 256665205degE

Monday ndash Friday0830 AM ndash 0400 PM

CONTACT USCONTACT US


bull Renewable energy is a growing industry in South Africa

bull The Department of Energyrsquos Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) has announced approximately 6225MW of installed photovoltaic capacity since 2011

bull PV plant owners developers and operators normally require that a sample of modules will need to be tested for conformation to specification

bull Between the manufacturer of the modules and the operator of the plant there lies a key gap independent verification of the performance of the product (ie the actual PV modules) before installation on site as well as during the operation of the facility

CONTACT USABOUT US

T0700











laboratory
















Visual Inspection





T0700













T0700










Solar Simulator



Model SOL2m2m








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza




CONTACT USABOUT US

T0700











laboratory
















Visual Inspection





T0700













T0700










Solar Simulator



Model SOL2m2m








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza



















Visual Inspection





T0700













T0700










Solar Simulator



Model SOL2m2m








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza















T0700










Solar Simulator



Model SOL2m2m








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza













Solar Simulator



Model SOL2m2m








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza








Solar Simulator






Calibration



Test date 08032019







Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza









Pmax

Isc

Voc




components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza







components


and filters



























Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza






















Vmp = 345

V

Voc = 443

V

Isc = 87 A

Vmp = 347 V

Imp = 64 A

Voc = 439

V0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

0 10 20 30 40 50

Curr

ent

(A)

Voltage (V)



Pmax (W) 276 222 -196

Isc (A) 87 87 -

Voc (V) 443 439 -

Vmmp (V) 345 347 06












041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza














041 504 2856 4874

infopvinsightcoza

wwwpvinsightcoza




measuring photovoltaic module degradation in an iso …€¦ · accredited testing services provide...

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