EP3900181A1 - Method and device for reducing the potentially induced degradation of solar cells - Google Patents
Method and device for reducing the potentially induced degradation of solar cellsInfo
- Publication number
- EP3900181A1 EP3900181A1 EP19818027.5A EP19818027A EP3900181A1 EP 3900181 A1 EP3900181 A1 EP 3900181A1 EP 19818027 A EP19818027 A EP 19818027A EP 3900181 A1 EP3900181 A1 EP 3900181A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- solar module
- electrical
- frame
- potential
- module according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 title description 9
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 title description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000002800 charge carrier Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 37
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000005038 ethylene vinyl acetate Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920001200 poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) Polymers 0.000 description 6
- DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N but-3-enoic acid;ethene Chemical compound C=C.OC(=O)CC=C DQXBYHZEEUGOBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910004613 CdTe Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NPNMHHNXCILFEF-UHFFFAOYSA-N [F].[Sn]=O Chemical compound [F].[Sn]=O NPNMHHNXCILFEF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003667 anti-reflective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- HVMJUDPAXRRVQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper indium Chemical compound [Cu].[In] HVMJUDPAXRRVQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021419 crystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- JAONJTDQXUSBGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N dialuminum;dizinc;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3].[Zn+2].[Zn+2] JAONJTDQXUSBGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZZEMEJKDTZOXOI-UHFFFAOYSA-N digallium;selenium(2-) Chemical compound [Ga+3].[Ga+3].[Se-2].[Se-2].[Se-2] ZZEMEJKDTZOXOI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxotin Chemical compound [In].[Sn]=O AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000005923 long-lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002161 passivation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910021420 polycrystalline silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011241 protective layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001415 sodium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SKRWFPLZQAAQSU-UHFFFAOYSA-N stibanylidynetin;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Sn].[Sb] SKRWFPLZQAAQSU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
- H02S40/30—Electrical components
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
Definitions
- the invention relates to a solar module and a method for operating the solar module.
- a solar module consists of a plurality of photovoltaic cells.
- a photovoltaic cell can convert radiation energy, in particular light, into electrical energy.
- a photovoltaic cell also called a solar cell, comprises a material, for example a semiconductor material, in which free charge carriers are generated by electromagnetic radiation.
- Two electrodes are adjacent to the material mentioned. The named material is then between the two electrodes. For example, an electric field, such as an internal electric field of a pn-type semiconductor, leads the free charge carriers generated out of the material mentioned.
- the electrical current thus generated can be supplied to an electrical consumer via the adjacent electrodes.
- the photovoltaic cells of a solar module are electrically connected to each other, usually in series.
- the photovoltaic cells of a solar module can be protected, for example, by a glass cover. Alternatively or in addition, one or more other protective layers, for example made of plastic, may be present.
- a solar module can include an anti-reflective layer.
- a solar module can include a frame. The frame can be electrically grounded.
- one side of the photovoltaic cells is at a positive potential and an opposite side of the photovoltaic cells is at a negative potential.
- Adjacent components such as glass, other layers or frames are at zero potential or close to zero potential. Potential differences therefore occur during operation between surfaces of photovoltaic cells and adjoining components. Such potential differences allow ions, for example Na + ions, to migrate from the named components to the solar cells and harm them. This negative effect, which is called potential-induced or voltage-related degradation, can cause large power losses.
- a solar module for generating electrical power which comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells.
- Each module can comprise more than 10 photovoltaic cells, for example more than 50 photovoltaic cells.
- the photovoltaic cells of a solar module are electrically connected to one another, preferably in series, so that a solar module can provide a higher voltage compared to the voltage that a single photovoltaic cell can generate.
- a photovoltaic cell has two electrodes. Between the two electrodes is a material in which free charge carriers can be generated by an electromagnetic wave.
- the material can be crystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous silicon, for example.
- the material can be a II IV semiconductor such as GaAs.
- the material can be an Il-VI semiconductor such as CdTe.
- the material can be an III-III semiconductor, such as copper indium gallium diselenide.
- the material can be on based on organic hydrocarbon compounds or organic dyes.
- the material can be doped.
- the electrodes consist of an electrically conductive material, for example of metal such as copper or silver.
- An electrode is transparent on a light-incident side and consists, for example, of indium tin oxide, fluorine-tin oxide, aluminum-zinc oxide or antimony-tin oxide.
- Components such as a glass pane or a layer made of plastic adjoin photovoltaic cells.
- an electrical device by means of which an electrical potential difference between one side of a photovoltaic cell and an adjoining component is reduced during the generation of electrical current. If a component borders on the side of a solar cell that is at negative potential during power generation, then this adjacent component is also brought to a negative potential, for example by the electrical device, so that the potential difference is reduced. If a component borders on the side of a solar cell that is at a positive potential during power generation, then this adjoining component is also brought to a positive potential by the electrical device, for example, in such a way that the potential difference is reduced.
- the potential equalization prevents the solar module from being damaged by potential-induced degradation. This improves the longevity of a solar module.
- the electrical power that has to be used for this is extremely low. Power losses caused by this are therefore negligibly small. The technical effort can be kept low.
- the electrical device is preferably set up such that the required electrical power is provided by the solar module during operation. Then the solar module can be operated independently.
- the adjacent component can be a glass pane.
- the glass pane can rest directly on electrodes of the photovoltaic cells.
- the glass pane can be made with electrodes be glued. There may be at least one intermediate layer between electrodes and glass pane.
- the electrical device comprises one or protective contacts.
- Each protective contact can rest on the adjacent component.
- Each protective contact can be glued to adjacent components.
- the adjoining component can be located between two protective contacts.
- Two protective contacts of the electrical device can rest on opposite sides of the adjacent component, for example on a glass pane.
- the one or more protective contacts can be attached to a glass pane, for example.
- One or more protective contacts of the electrical device can be frame-like, for example rectangular or square, in order to suitably reduce a potential difference without excessively hindering the incidence of an electromagnetic wave.
- One or more protective contacts of the electrical device preferably adjoin the edge of the solar module in order to further reduce a potential difference in a suitable manner without excessively hindering the incidence of an electromagnetic wave.
- One or more protective contacts of the electrical device then run close to the edge of a solar module and generally parallel to the edge of the solar module.
- the distance to a frame or edge of a solar module and a protective contact of the electrical device can then be less than 5 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, particularly preferably less than 1 cm.
- the one or more protective contacts can run around the solar cells when viewed from the top of the solar cells.
- One or more protective contacts of the electrical device can consist of a transparent, electrically conductive material in order to further reduce power losses.
- One or more protective contacts of the electrical device can consist of a metal.
- At least one protective contact of the electrical device is preferably connected to an electrical resistance. In the installed state of the solar module, this is was connected to earth, i.e. grounded.
- the electrical resistance can be connected to an electrically conductive frame of the solar module if it is intended to ground the electrically conductive frame in the installed state. A risk to persons due to an electrical current through a protective contact is thus avoided.
- the resistor may include a grounding means at one end, such as a means such as an electrical connector or an electrical socket, for connecting the resistor to ground through an electrical connector. But it can also be an electrical cable that can be connected with its free end, for example with a clamp connection.
- the electrical resistance can be more than 1 kQ, preferably more than 10 kQ, particularly preferably more than 100 kQ.
- the solar module comprises a frame which, in the installed state, can be grounded for protection reasons, that is to say it is then connected to ground.
- the frame may include means for grounding the frame.
- This device is, for example, an electrical plug or an electrical socket that can be connected to a ground or to ground by an electrical plug connection. But it can also be an electrical cable that can be connected with a free end connection with a clamp connection.
- the invention particularly relates to a plurality of solar modules that are electrically connected in series.
- solar modules can be damaged by the degradation, which is reliably avoided by the invention with little technical effort and with little loss of power.
- Fig. 1 Cross section of an earthed solar module according to the prior art with posible Chen leakage currents
- Fig. 3 supervision of a solar module with protective contact according to the invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a section of a lateral cross section of a solar module in the area of its frame 14 with photovoltaic cells 13.
- the photovoltaic cells 13 are embedded in an ethylene-vinyl acetate layer 12.
- the front of the solar module is covered by a glass plate 10.
- a rear wall 11 is applied to the rear.
- the frame 14 is electrically grounded.
- a first possible leakage current path 20 can run from photovoltaic cells 13 through the ethylene vinyl acetate layer 12 and through the glass plate 10 along the top of the glass plate 10 to the frame 14 and then to ground.
- a second possible leakage current path 21 can migrate from the photovoltaic cells 13 through the ethylene vinyl acetate layer 12 along the underside of the glass plate 10 and from here along the underside of the glass plate 10 to the frame 14 and then to ground.
- FIG. 2 also shows a section of a lateral cross section of a solar module in the region of the frame 14 of the solar module, corresponding to FIG. 1.
- the solar module comprises photovoltaic cells 13 which are embedded in an ethylene-vinyl acetate layer 12.
- the frame 14 also has an earth connection.
- two possibilities for the attachment of protective contacts 15 according to the invention are shown by way of example, one protective contact 15 for preventing or reducing a leakage current 20, 21 from FIG. 1 being arranged in each case.
- protective contacts 15 are arranged in the region of the frame 14, to each of which a protective contact line 30, 31 is connected.
- Leakage currents 20, 21 can thereby be avoided.
- Leakage currents 22, 23 can occur which flow from protective contacts 15 to frame 14. Such leakage currents 22, 23, however, are negligibly small and harmless.
- FIG. 3 shows a top view of a solar module with a rectangular protective contact 15 arranged according to the invention on the front side of a glass pane.
- a rectangular protective contact 15 arranged according to the invention on the front side of a glass pane.
- the one or more protective contacts 15 are arranged such that they run around the photovoltaic cells 13.
- Such protective contacts 15 can be arranged both above and below a layer of the solar module or only above or only below the layer.
- an external protective contact 15 is connected to an electrical resistance (not shown in FIG. 3). This electrical resistance is grounded during operation of the solar cell.
- a potential which is closer to the adjacent potential of the photovoltaic cells 13 than to the potential of the frame 14 is applied to one or more protective contacts 15 during the generation of electricity.
- EVA ethylene vinyl acetate layer
Landscapes
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102018222585.0A DE102018222585A1 (en) | 2018-12-20 | 2018-12-20 | Method and device for reducing the potential induced degradation of solar cells |
PCT/EP2019/084217 WO2020126614A1 (en) | 2018-12-20 | 2019-12-09 | Method and device for reducing the potentially induced degradation of solar cells |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3900181A1 true EP3900181A1 (en) | 2021-10-27 |
Family
ID=68848269
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19818027.5A Pending EP3900181A1 (en) | 2018-12-20 | 2019-12-09 | Method and device for reducing the potentially induced degradation of solar cells |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3900181A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102018222585A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020126614A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7554031B2 (en) | 2005-03-03 | 2009-06-30 | Sunpower Corporation | Preventing harmful polarization of solar cells |
DE202006008936U1 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2006-08-17 | Sma Technologie Ag | Photovoltaic generator circuit, has thin layer modules, where negative supply of photovoltaic generator is raised to value of fifty volts, and bias voltage source comprising current monitoring unit for detecting earth faults |
JP5377018B2 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2013-12-25 | 株式会社東芝 | Solar power system |
DE202009018068U1 (en) * | 2009-06-02 | 2010-12-23 | Solon Se | solar module |
WO2015191699A1 (en) | 2014-06-11 | 2015-12-17 | Arizona Board Of Regents On Behalf Of Arizona State University | Controlling potential-induced degradation of photovoltaic modules |
CN107196597B (en) * | 2017-05-16 | 2019-12-13 | 华为技术有限公司 | photovoltaic power generation system |
-
2018
- 2018-12-20 DE DE102018222585.0A patent/DE102018222585A1/en active Pending
-
2019
- 2019-12-09 WO PCT/EP2019/084217 patent/WO2020126614A1/en unknown
- 2019-12-09 EP EP19818027.5A patent/EP3900181A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2020126614A1 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
DE102018222585A1 (en) | 2020-06-25 |
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Legal Events
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Effective date: 20210507 |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20240619 |