{"id":8518,"date":"2013-04-03T11:40:52","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T09:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.expo21xx.com\/news\/?p=8518"},"modified":"2013-03-28T11:41:13","modified_gmt":"2013-03-28T10:41:13","slug":"ul-evaluates-potential-induced-degradation-of-pv-modules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expo21xx.com\/news\/ul-evaluates-potential-induced-degradation-of-pv-modules\/","title":{"rendered":"UL evaluates Potential Induced Degradation (PID) of PV Modules"},"content":{"rendered":"

Utility Scale PV Power Plants operate at high system voltages ranging from 500 Vdc to 1000 Vdc. It has been observed that this high potential can lead to or accelerate module degradation through multiple factors. Such factors may result in conditions such as potential induced degradation, polarization, electrolytic corrosion, and electrochemical corrosion. These factors are prevalent in wet or damp environments, such as morning dew or rain, as well as in those subject to module soiling with conductive, acidic, caustic, or ionic materials. When field installed, crystalline silicon modules may degrade in positive as well as negative polarity which is dependent on cell construction, module production processes and materials and overall design.<\/p>\n

PV module manufacturers have found the data from this test beneficial in their reliability efforts for warranty and other financial analysis purposes. Proving that a PV module<\/a> is not susceptible to PID by conducting a scientifically proven and repeatable test at a third party lab improves bankability and credibility<\/p>\n

\"EL

EL images before (left) and after (right) the PID test of
a standard multi crystalline PV module. Dark cells represent PID susceptible cells.<\/p><\/div>\n

UL Test Program for PID effect on PV Modules<\/strong><\/p>\n

UL offers a scientifically proven laboratory test program to evaluate the effects of stress of both polarities for modules based upon the manufacturer\u2019s specifications. Objectives:<\/p>\n

1. Perform a repeatable test which evaluates the crystalline silicon PV module\u2019s performance against system voltage stress
\n2. Screen for PID susceptibility of c-Si solar cells in a given module package (glass, encapsulant) with related PID safeguards bypassed
\n3. Perform additional tests and analysis to further expose PID susceptibility and verify module safety
\n4. Perform comparative analysis of PV mIn addition, the installation instructions, grounding and mounting means as specified by the module manufacturer (if any) shall also be provided.odules for PID susceptibility<\/p>\n

Two representative and identical samples each contain at least 60 cells for each polarity of the system voltage that is specified or allowed in the module documentation and one control sample shall be provided. The sample modules shall be constructed with the same process and design as the model type to be evaluated. The sample modules shall contain all components including cells, encapsulant, backsheet, glass, and frame of the same manufacturing process (process tool design and process conditions) as the model type to be evaluated.<\/p>\n

\"Before

Before (left) and after (right) images of a monocrystalline PV module.<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition, the installation instructions, grounding and mounting means as specified by the module manufacturer (if any) shall also be provided.<\/p>\n

UL Test Setup<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following bullet points highlight the test conditions:
\n\u2022 Module temperature during the test 25\u00b0C +\/-1K \u2022 Module front is covered the Aluminum foil and an additional conductive fluid
\n\u2022 Module is positioned horizontally during the test
\n\u2022 Applied DC potential: System voltage (usually 1000V) or otherwise specified
\n\u2022 Minimum test time: 168h + 168h = 336h (2 weeks) Performance evaluation: The following measurements are performed at specified stages of the PID test:
\n\u2022 Power determination at 1000W\/m2 (UL 61215 Clause 10.2) and 200W\/m2 (UL 61215 Clause 10.7)
\n\u2022 EL-imaging \u2022 Safety related tests including the insulation test (UL 61215 Clause 10.3) and wet-leakage test (UL 61215 Clause 10.15)<\/p>\n

\"Schematically

Schematically setup of the PID test for standard p-type c-Si PV modules<\/p><\/div>\n

UL\u2019s PID susceptibility evaluation<\/strong><\/p>\n

UL will investigate the power loss at 1000W\/m2 (STC) and 200W\/m2 (low light). Potential induced degradation is a result of shunting the solar cells. Low light behavior of the PV module is critical to performance. Therefore, UL will use 1000W\/m2 and 200W\/m2 as susceptible criteria.<\/p>\n

A PV module is called PID susceptible if one of the following applies:
\n\u2022 \u0394Pmpp > 5% after 168h at 1000W\/m2 and 200W\/m2 and
\n\u2022 \u0394Pmpp > 10% after 336h at 1000W\/m2 and 200W\/m2<\/p>\n

A PV module is not susceptible to PID if at both irradiance levels and after both stages the module fulfills the power loss criteria of less than 5% and 10% after 168h and 336h, respectively.<\/p>\n

The Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following show measurements taken from PID susceptible PV modules to illustrate the effect and severity of PID.<\/p>\n

\"Sample

Sample IV curves before and after PID testing collected at 1000W\/m2 and 200W\/m2. The IV curve change is more severe at 200W\/m2 compared to 1000W\/m2 and demonstrates the influence of PID on the low light behavior on module performance<\/p><\/div>\n

For further information visit: www.ul.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Utility Scale PV Power Plants operate at high system voltages ranging from 500 Vdc to 1000 Vdc. It has been observed that this high potential can lead to or accelerate module degradation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8532,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[338,288],"class_list":["post-8518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-renewable-energy","tag-pv-module","tag-testing-equipment"],"yoast_head":"\nUL evaluates Potential Induced Degradation (PID) of PV Modules - EXPO21XX.com NEWS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expo21xx.com\/news\/ul-evaluates-potential-induced-degradation-of-pv-modules\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MB\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expo21xx.com\/news\/ul-evaluates-potential-induced-degradation-of-pv-modules\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expo21xx.com\/news\/ul-evaluates-potential-induced-degradation-of-pv-modules\/\",\"name\":\"UL evaluates Potential Induced Degradation (PID) of PV Modules - 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