Analysis Techniques of Polymeric Encapsulant Materials for Photovoltaic Modules: Situation and Perspectives

AbstractThe properties of the encapsulant are critical to the long-term performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules under the influence of sunlight including UV, elevated temperature, humidity and diffusion of oxygen. Encapsulation process represents about 40% of the whole PV module cost. The introduction of new non-EVA encapsulant material type ″Low-Cost, High-Performance″ should provide a solution to outdoor yellowing degradation problems. The emerging encapsulant materials exhibit a good compatibility with emerging PV solar cells for long term durability. This new generation of encapsulant materials has the advantage to improve the PV module performances and long term durability for specific climate like desert regions. This scientific contribution presents an overview of the different encapsulant materials currently on the market, the general requirements of the emerging encapsulant materials and characterizations techniques for degradation, diagnostic and reliability lifetime estimation in the framework of Algerian renewable energy strategy

Evaluation performance of photovoltaic modules after a long time operation in Saharan environment

Reliability and lifetime of photovoltaic (PV) systems depend mainly on the energy performance of modules and on their different degradation modes. Accordingly, research must be focused on degradations of PV modules. This paper presents the results of investigations carried out on the degradation mechanisms of PV modules of the Melouka central in the area of Adrar in Algeria after 28 years of exposure in the Saharan environment. Main degradation modes are observed through visual inspection of PV modules: discoloration of encapsulant, broken and abrasion of glass, delamination, discoloration and hot spot of cells, oxidation of front grid fingers and thermal shocks. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are acquired with outdoor measurements in the site. The experimental results permit to detect both hot spots and thermal shocks which are the most detrimental total defects visually observable in the site, and to quantify the reduction of electrical performance data correlated with visual degradation data. A maximum power (Pmax) degradation rate of 1.22%/year is found which is closely related to short-circuit current (Isc) of 0.78 %/year, followed by fill factor (FF) of 0.57%/year and finally short-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.1%/year. Akin results are reported in literature for PV modules exploited under desert climate for long duration

Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021. A questionnaire was utilized to assess the perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 and its plausible determinants. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with such risk perceptions. Results: A total of 1,646 responses were included in the analysis of the perceived risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19. Our data suggested that 36.4% of participants had a high perceived risk of COVID-19 infection, while only 22.4% had a perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Being a woman, working in healthcare-related sectors, contracting pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, as well as seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV were all associated with a higher perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. In addition, being a woman, elderly, having heart disease and pulmonary disease, knowing people in the immediate social environment who are or have been infected with COVID-19, and seeing or reading about individuals infected with COVID-19 on social media or TV had a higher perceived risk of dying from COVID-19. Conclusions: The perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 are relatively low among respondents; this suggests the need to conduct health campaigns to disseminate knowledge and information on the ongoing pandemic

Optimal sizing of a stand-alone photovoltaic system with energy management in isolated areas

International audienc

The new strategy of energy management for a photovoltaic system without extra intended for remote-housing

International audienc

Optimal sizing of a stand alone photovoltaic system with energy anagement in isolated area

International audienc

Comparison of Two PV Modules Technologies Using Analytical and Experimental Methods

International audienceBased on actual operating conditions, this paper focuses on the I-V characteristics of the two common types of silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules i.e. the polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon modules using, for analysis the PV module behaviors, two mathematical models: the implicit model and the explicit model. In the implicit model, five coefficients are calculated analytically whereas in the explicit model, two coefficients are calculated from experimental measurements. These two models allow obtaining the I-V characteristics evaluating the marketed PV module quality and predicting its life and so its behavior according to environmental parameters changes. In the experimental part of this work, I-V characterizations of polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon PV modules were performed to establish their explicit models. In real environmental conditions, considering illumination and temperature, and in addition to data provided by manufacturers, I-V characteristics are plotted and compared for the two models using codes developed under Matlab software environment. The results show a strong agreement between the implicit model and the experimental characteristics