Analysis of Degradation of Mono-Crystalline Photo Voltaic Modules after Four (4) Years of Outdoor Exposure in Minna, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

The understanding of degradation modes and mechanism is very important in order to ensure the lifetime of a Photovoltaic (PV) modules and to predict the total lifespan. In the present study, degradation analysis of mono-crystalline silicon PV modules under test and meteorological sensors installed on a metal support Mask at the Experimental Garden near Physics Department of Federal University OF Technology, Minna, has been carried out after 4 years of outdoor operation in a composite climate of Central Nigeria. A comprehensive analysis has been carried out on Monocrystalline PV Module rated 10W using CR1000 software-based Data Acquisition System (DAS) through visual inspection, Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc), Short-Circuit Current (Isc),I-V characteristic. The data monitoring was from 09:00am to 18:00 pm hours each day continuously for four years, from December 2014 to November 2018. Annual yearly average of the performance variables were calculated to have the full knowledge of the degradation rate and the lifespan of the module. It was observed that Open-Circuit Voltage (V_oc), Short-circuit Current (I_sc), Power (W), Maximum Voltage (Vmax), Maximum Current (I_Max) and Power Maximum (P_Max) has average yearly degradation of 1.07V; 0.007A, P(W), 0.08W, 1.7V, 0.017A and 0.14W for the four years