ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON WAFER BASED PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the analysis and optimization of crystalline silicon wafer based PV modules. PV modules play a very important role in the conversion of solar energy, thus their efficiency must be further improved. Both electrical circuit models and analytical optical models are used to analyse loss mechanisms in PV modules and improvements are suggested based on the findings. First, a detailed method is proposed to analyse the current flow in stringed cells with different metallization patterns. This method is used to predict improvements of PV module efficiency when going from full-size cells to halved cells. Second, light scattering in electrically inactive areas of modules is analysed and the current generation due to light trapping is predicted. Then, PV module performance under partial shading conditions and spectral response measurement conditions is investigated. Finally, a global comparison is performed between monofacial and bifacial PV modules.