Evaluation of the electrical properties under extreme stress in photovoltaic solar modules

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect of electric reverse stress currents on the performance of photovoltaic solar modules.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of a reverse introduced current as a function of time is studied on the I‐V and C‐V characteristics and parameters which were extracted and analyzed using numerical analysis based on a reliable double exponential model.

Findings

The effect of an introduced reverse current for different periods simulated the effect of accumulated extreme reverse currents which may arise in solar cells and modules due to different reasons, causing dramatic changes in the shunt resistance as well as other characteristics, mainly when the time of the current application exceeded a certain limit.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the research on the damaging effects of reverse currents on the normal operation of the solar cells and modules.

Citation

Sidawi, J., Abboud, N., Jelian, G., Habchi, R. and Salame, C. (2011), "Evaluation of the electrical properties under extreme stress in photovoltaic solar modules", Microelectronics International, Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 12-16. https://doi.org/10.1108/13565361111097074