+44 (0)24 7671 8970
More publications     •     Advertise with us     •     Contact us
 
Loading...
{megaLeaderboard}
{normalLeaderboard}
News Article

Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin introduces new error analysis method for PV power plants

News

The Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin (PI Berlin) has developed a new, automated process that allows solar modules to be examined without being dismantled, thereby reducing analysis time. Up to 1,000 modules can be tested each night using electroluminescence measurements (EL). Specially developed software then analyses the test images and provides information on measures required to resolve faults and modules that need replacing. Experts at PI Berlin have already put this method into practice for Deutsche Bank, for example, which uses it as a basis for its power plant assessments.

"If a PV power plant generates lower yields than expected, we start looking for potential errors. The quicker the error is found, the higher the profits will be for investors and operators. Our test set-up allows us to take high-resolution electroluminescence images of several modules at once, thus saving time," explains Dr Juliane Berghold, Head of Module Technology and Research at PI Berlin. "These images are then analysed and automatically evaluated by our software, which is based on our years of experience with error analysis of PV modules in power plants. This expertise also helps us to evaluate these results very quickly and recommend specific courses of action for solving problems in the plant."

Each examined module is classified in a test report, allowing defective modules to be localised and replaced in the event of damage. Test reports help investors and operators to back up their claims to EPC contractors, module manufacturers and insurers.

Error analysis for investors

PI Berlin used this new test method to examine a power plant in Italy that had been generating significantly lower yields than expected immediately after start-up. Engineers at the institute tested over 12,000 installed polycrystalline modules in less than three weeks "“ over 80 percent were shown to be defective. Many were found to have badly fractured cells in the centre, which were considerably reducing yield. PI Berlin's report prompted the investor to have several thousand solar modules replaced.

"Our analyses show that PV modules are frequently damaged during transportation. This is indicated, for example, by prominent cell fractures that occur fairly consistently in the middle of the majority of modules in a plant. In such cases, the damage we see in the power plant can be attributed to a combination of the transportation method and relatively sensitive modules," reports Dr Berghold. After performing error analyses, PI Berlin is often commissioned again to examine the quality of the replacement modules and thus ensure that the power plant is working at full capacity.

Schletter Group: 48 MWp Project in Italy
ENCAVIS Acquires Two More Solar Parks In Spain and Surpasses The Planned Expansion
Maximum profitability with KACO advanced technology for complex solar roofs
Enviromena wins contract to re-power three major solar farms ahead of the summer energy peak
New Swansea University Collaboration to Support Sustainable, Locally Manufactured Solar PV
New Swansea University Collaboration to Support Sustainable, Locally Manufactured Solar PV
Next2Sun Builds World's Largest Vertical PV Plant at Frankfurt Airport
DNV Publishes Bankability Study of Solcast Satellite Irradiance Data
Steel company SSAB switches to fossil-free energy in Italy with PV solution from Solnet
janom Investments enters the Croatian solar energy industry by investing in a 30 MW power plant project
Trina Solar Vertex S+ 505W n-type dual-glass modules enter mass production
BayWa r.e. and 3E sign partnership agreement for monitoring & analytics of global PV portfolio
Accelerating Spain's Energy Transformation: LONGi to supply Naturgy with 1 million modules in new deal
NTR announces corporate PPA with Almac Group to buy energy from Murley Wind Farm, Northern Ireland
Oxford PV sets new solar panel efficiency world record
Order Intake for the Construction of Wind Turbines in Turkey
Trilantic Europe acquires stake in AEROCOMPACT Group
Octopus Energy makes solar farm debut in Germany
Austria-based KOGA Energy, a solar EPC solutions provider, has kicked off.
Exus to acquire 625MW New Mexico solar portfolio
Capcora Accompanies SUSI Partners In Raising Senior Debt For a Polish Renewables Portfolio
Qualitas Energy acquires a 96 MW wind energy project pipeline in Germany
Nordex Group receives orders from the UK for approx. 150 MW
Trina Solar gains EPD certification from UL Solutions and EPDItaly for industry leading modules
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London instals innovative solar tech to decarbonise heating
Efficiency First: The Road to Electrification
SCHLETTER Supplies Austria's Largest PV Roof System
E.ON partners with UK renewable heat innovator Naked Energy
Sonnedix signs innovative EUR500 million loan facility to finance construction of its renewable electricity pipeline in Europe and UK
Construction begins on Glennmont and Ørsted’s Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm in Germany
ABB shores up reliable power supply at Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar plant
Sonnedix starts construction of 300MW UK solar PV portfolio

×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Solar + Power Magazine, the Solar + Power Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in: