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Hot-spot heating in central-station arraysHot spot tests performed on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) verificaton array show that current imbalance occurs, resulting in significant hot spot heating. One cause of current imbalance is differences in the average shunt resistances of parallel cell strings due to cell shunt resistance variations. In depth hot spot tests are performed on the verification array with bypass diodes. The tests had several objectives: (1) a comparison of hot spot temperatures achieved under field conditions with those obtained with the present laboratory hot spot test using similar modules; (2) an assessment of current imbalance versus cross tie frequency; and (3) an assessment of different shadow patterns and shadow densities. Instrumented modules are used to vary the number of cross ties and to measure the test-cell current and back-bias voltage. The widths, lengths, and densities of the shadows are varied to maximize the back bias voltage at maximum power current. An infrared camera is used to indicate the existence of hot spots and estimate temperature increases in conjunction with thermocouples. The results of these hot spot tests indicate a sensitivity of back bias heating to the shadow size (amount of cell coverage) and density.
Document ID
19840024615
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gonzalez, C. C.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Proc. of the Flat-Plate Solar Array Proj. Res. Forum on the Design of Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Arrays for Central Sta.
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Accession Number
84N32686
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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