Module Design for EC Pilot Projects

Summary

A new module was designed of the CEC pilot projects of NICE AIRPORT and MONT BOUQUET (50 kW each).

It is a 73 W module made of 72 100 mm diameter single crystalline silicon cells.

A cost reduction is achieved in encapsulation, frame and wiring. The technology of the encapsulation is a laminated structure including a low iron content tempered glass (1455 x 610 mm) polyvinyl butyral and a tedlar / aluminium tedlar sheet for the back.

A connection box allows an easy wiring in parallel or in series under 12 or 24 Volts.

The frame around the module is self-supporting, allowing “very simplified” on-site mounting structures. According to the results of an investigation of the necessary protection against the hot spots, each string of 12 cells in series is protected by a diode.

The encapsulation structure allows to insert the 6 protecting diodes in the connection box. The whole technology has been selected to ensure a high reliability in severe environmental conditions and to allow a fast on-site mounting of the power plant.

A reliability programme has been set up to verify the good fit to the intended use in EUROPE and the possibility of also using this module under other kinds of climate, especially tropical ones.