A recent report from the Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (PVPS) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) includes guidelines for improving the performance of PV systems used in climates such as deserts, tropical regions and snowy areas.
Further research and field data is needed to support the installation of photovoltaic systems in parts of the world with more challenging climates, according to the latest report from the IEA PVPS.
The task 13 reports “Optimization of photovoltaic systems for different climates“Relates to the guidelines for improving the reliability and performance of solar systems that have been used in climates, including cold, snowy areas, warm and dry climates and tropical regions.
It says that as the global PV implementation speeds up, installations are increasingly in more challenging environments, with Such implementations that introduce unique risks for the sustainability of the system that require tailor -made design and climate -specific approaches.
To date the use of Solar modules optimized by climate is still limited. The report explains that in most existing cases standard products are used in harder environments, with the global trend to larger modules that use thinner glass as part of the urge to cheaper modules that are unsuitable for more challenging climates.
The analysis of IEA PVPS says the Lower temperatures associated with cold and snowy climates can improve the efficiency of a module and delay relegation reactions for chemical material. However, these temperatures can also expose modules and system components to extra physical and thermalechanical breakdown, leading to system failure. Snow can also lead to an overload of the modules.
The report recommends High-Tilt systems with sufficient basic freedom, as well as fences, for avoiding snow abnormalities, to minimize losses in snowy conditions. It adds that modules can be optimized for snowy conditions due to thicker glass, the use of micro-crack tolerant cells, special encapsulants and frames.
Although research into encapsulating properties, UV resistance and innovative methods for snow sling has shown promising results so far, the report indicates that Velder experience with climate-optimized PV modules and mounting structures is still “still very limited”.
In warm and dry conditions, IEA PVPS says that the most important stressors for PV systems are contaminated, high temperatures and thermal cycles. In the meantime, Zoute fog, intense UV consumption and strong wind can also affect some locations.
Low-temperature coefficient modules with alternative encapsulating agents and UV and heat-resistant materials are recommended to improve the durability of systems in warm and dry climates. IEA-PVPS adds that cooling solutions, such as heat distribution plates, air-cooled fins and phase changes, remain largely non-compulsory. “Continuous performance and environmental monitoring by a combination of manual and automated methods is crucial to tackle aging -related inefficiencies,” the report adds.
In warm and humid conditions, IEA-PVPS consistently says high temperatures and increased moisture levels in the air can lead to corrosion and demolition of PV modules and components. Meanwhile high humidity Can also lead to increased dust adhesion and biological growth, with substantial effects on energy yields.
IEA-PVPS says that designing modules for tropical regions requires moisture-resistant incoming agents, corrosion-resistant frames and UV-stable components. It says that the implementation of regular cleaning schedules, in particular during dry periods and for areas with frequent caked pollution or biological pollution, reduces pollution losses and extends the lifespan.
The report concludes that Regardless of the location, the limitation of climate -specific stressors with selection of locations starts and is the entire lifespan of the systems. That also indicates Identification of the stressors and their impact must be performed as early as possible.
IEA PVPS says that other limitations that prevent the acceptance of climate-specific PV modules, currently price, availability and existing work contracts.
IEA PVPS recently introduced Solarstations.org, a global catalog of monitoring stations for solar radiation designed for researchers, developers and policy makers.
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