Performance analysis of crystalline silicon solar modules with the same peak power and the different structure

Abstract

Textured crystalline silicon solar cells, planar crystalline silicon solar cells, textured glass, and planar glass are commonly fabricated for crystalline silicon solar modules. Thus, there are four kinds of crystalline silicon solar modules. The photovoltaic electricity outputs of these four kinds of modules with the same peak power are different under true sunshine conditions. This discrepancy inevitably occurs due to the different materials used in modules. Using the actual optical performance of a four-layer encapsulation, a simulation was made on the reflection losses and energy outputs of the four kinds of solar modules. The computer simulation shows that the module encapsulated by textured crystalline silicon solar cells and textured glass has more energy output than others in actual uses. Even if they have equal electrical characteristics under standard test conditions of 1000 W/m², 25°C cell temperature, and 1.5 air mass, the result of simulation approximately agrees with the measured values. A quantitative analysis of energy production of the four kinds of modules with the same peak power as a function of angle of incidence and module structure is presented for the first time. Performing the measured energy production analysis for the four kinds of modules with the same peak power as a function of angle of incidence and module structure provides insight into economic analysis of PV systems and performance estimation of a photovoltaic roof within a fixed flat plate array.