Impact of local non-uniformities on thin-film PV

J. R. Sites; G. T. Koishiyev; Marko Topic

doi:10.1117/12.828232

20 August 2009 Impact of local non-uniformities on thin-film PV

J. R. Sites, G. T. Koishiyev, Marko Topic

Proceedings Volume 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology; 74090Q (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828232
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Individual shunts and "weak diodes" can have a significant effect, one much larger than implied by their physical area, on the performance of laboratory-sized (~ 1cm²) solar cells. For larger areas typical of thin-film modules, the sheet resistance of the transparent contact minimizes the impact of a single, small-area non-uniformity. If there are significant numbers of shunts or weak diodes throughout a module, however, its performance may also be reduced. In this case, the number, the magnitude, the nature, and the distribution of the non-uniformities combine to affect the degree of reduction. In particular, a concentration of most shunts or weak diodes in a small number of module cells will be less destructive than if they are distributed among a greater number of cells. In the case of non-uniform illumination, however, module performance is less degraded if the shadowing is spread relatively uniformly over all or most of the cells.

Citation Download Citation

J. R. Sites, G. T. Koishiyev, and Marko Topic "Impact of local non-uniformities on thin-film PV", Proc. SPIE 7409, Thin Film Solar Technology, 74090Q (20 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.828232

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