Determination of hot-spot susceptibility of multistring photovoltaic modules in a central-station applicationPart of the effort of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Flat-Plate Solar Array Project (FSA) includes a program to improve module and array reliability. A collaborative activity with industry dealing with the problem of hot-spot heating due to the shadowing of photovoltaic cells in modules and arrays containing several paralleled cell strings is described. The use of multiparallel strings in large central-station arrays introduces the likelihood of unequal current sharing and increased heating levels. Test results that relate power dissipated, current imbalance, cross-strapping frequency, and shadow configuration to hot-spot heating levels are presented. Recommendations for circuit design configurations appropriate to central-station applications that reduce the risk of hot-spot problems are offered. Guidelines are provided for developing hot-spot tests for arrays when current imbalance is a threat.
Document ID
19850053512
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gonzalez, C. C. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Weaver, R. W. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ross, R. G., Jr. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Energy Technology Engineering Section, Pasadena CA, United States)
Spencer, R. (Acurex Corp. Mountain View, CA, United States)
Arnett, J. C. (ARCO Solar, Inc. Woodland Hills, CA, United States)