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Thermally Conductive Backsheets (TCB) of PV Modules: Positive Impacts on Performance, Lifetime and LCOE

Author

Listed:
  • Ashwini Pavgi

    (Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA)

  • Jaewon Oh

    (Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA
    Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA)

  • GovindaSamy TamizhMani

    (Photovoltaic Reliability Laboratory, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA)

Abstract

The operating temperatures of photovoltaic (PV) modules can be impacted by the selection of specific packaging materials, e.g., backsheets and encapsulants. This research focuses on the evaluation of operating temperature reduction of one-cell modules by comparing conventional Tedlar/polyester/Tedlar (TPT) backsheet with novel thermally conductive backsheets (TCBs) materials. A large number of one-cell modules with two TCB types (TCB_A and TCB_B) and baseline TPT type were fabricated and installed in three different climatic conditions of the hot-dry desert in Arizona (high and low wind speed locations) and North Carolina (temperate with low wind speed location). In this study, these two TCBs were compared with conventional TPT backsheet in terms of performance, lifetime and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The field results were analyzed for thermal performance of TCBs compared to TPT at three sites for two and half years. This study concludes that the thermal and electrical performances of the PV modules can be improved by using TCB_A in hot and dry climate sites and TCB_B at temperate climate sites. Therefore, the lifetime of TCB-based modules is expected to be higher than TPT-based modules. Using backsheet-specific power degradation levels and assuming the same cost for both types of backsheets, the LCOE of modules using TCBs is estimated to be lower than that of TPT.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashwini Pavgi & Jaewon Oh & GovindaSamy TamizhMani, 2021. "Thermally Conductive Backsheets (TCB) of PV Modules: Positive Impacts on Performance, Lifetime and LCOE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:5:p:1252-:d:505562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kim, Namsu & Kim, Dajung & Kang, Hanjun & Park, Yong-Gi, 2016. "Improved heat dissipation in a crystalline silicon PV module for better performance by using a highly thermal conducting backsheet," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 515-520.
    2. Hernandez-Perez, J.G. & Carrillo, J.G. & Bassam, A. & Flota-Banuelos, M. & Patino-Lopez, L.D., 2020. "A new passive PV heatsink design to reduce efficiency losses: A computational and experimental evaluation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 1209-1220.
    3. Teo, H.G. & Lee, P.S. & Hawlader, M.N.A., 2012. "An active cooling system for photovoltaic modules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 309-315.
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