WHITEPAPER

Towards Developing a Standard for Testing

Bifacial PV Modules:

Single-Side versus Double-Side Illumination Method IV

Measurements Under Different Irradiance and Temperature
S. Roest1, W. Nawara1, B.B. Van Aken2 and E. Garcia Goma1,3
1Eternal Sun Group 2ECN Solar Energy, 3PVMD TU Delft
E. Garcia Goma – Module Characterization Researcher

44th IEEE PVSC 2017, Washington DC, 30th June 2017 1

Eternal Sun Group: +750 systems installed

AAA steady-state A+A+A+ Single Long Pulse 230ms

For R&D and certification labs For manufacturing, QC and labs

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Development of a bifacial testing standard is challenging

• Bifacial tests requires control on both front and rear power output.
• IEC WG2 project team has submitted draft standard

IEC 60904-1-2: I-V characterization of bifacial devices

• Two main procedures are included:

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How to compare single side vs double sided illumination?

Equivalent
irradiance

𝑮𝑬 = 𝑮𝑭 + 𝑴𝒊𝒏(𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄 , 𝝋𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 ) ∗ 𝑮𝑹

Example Conditions Equivalent

𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄,𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒆 [-] 𝑮𝑭 [W/m2] 𝑮𝑹 [W/m2] 𝑮𝑬 [W/m2]
0.85 1000 200 1170

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How to combine a steady state simulator with a flasher

• Front side Single Long Pulse Flash

simulator 100 ms
• Rear side using Steady State Solar
Simulator
• Single-side at 25 °C, double at 30
°C, temperature corrected
• Bifacial n-type PERT “shaded”
module

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Roadmap to accurately measure bifacial PV modules
4

3
Double side
2
Albedo effect
1

Single side

Technical
considerations

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 Extended sweep length for measuring high capacitance modules

Source: Based on 5600 SLP sweep time sequence measurement of IBC and PERC module (2016)

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Spectral range of 300-1200 required for n-type PERT

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Roadmap to accurately measure bifacial PV modules
4

3
Extended sweep
length and 300- Double side
1200 nm spectrum 2
Albedo effect
1

Single side

Technical
considerations

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Single side method analysis

Big difference in IV Isc bifaciality has lower value than Isc bifaciality stays constant
curves shape due Pmax bifaciality through time, while Pmax
to Junction Box bifaciality changes 1%
shading

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Roadmap to accurately measure bifacial PV modules
4
Relevant differences
in IV curves for front 3
and rear
Double side
2
Albedo effect
1

Single side

Technical
considerations
Offset between
𝝋𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 and 𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄

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Albedo effect analysis

Induced Negligible FF effect The extra irradiance can be

increment in Isc quantified and added to front
close to 2.5 % irradiance value

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Roadmap to accurately measure bifacial PV modules
4

3
Double side
2
Albedo effect
1

Single side
Quantifiable and
Technical added to front
considerations side irradiance

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Double side method analysis
𝑮𝑬 = 𝑮𝑭 + 𝑴𝒊𝒏(𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄 , 𝝋𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 ) ∗ 𝑮𝑹

FF Double found As consequence, when matching In the case studied, of 4.3 W,

between Front Isc, there is a difference in Pmax Single side underestimates
and Rear between methods 1.6% of the power output

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Roadmap to accurately measure bifacial PV modules
4

3
Double side
2
Albedo effect
1 Bifaciality
differences make
Single side both methods not
fully relatable
Technical
considerations Difference of 1.6 %
in the case studied

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What to take home
Double illumination setup successfully employed

Albedo can be easily quantified

Shading or front sorting can cause differences between 𝝋𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 and 𝝋𝑰𝒔𝒄

Which leads to single side Pmax underestimation of 1.6 % in the case studied

A look into the future

Further characterization of different types of bifacial modules

Both bifacialities should be considered when relating single to double side methods

Single side can be sufficient for production, however double is encouraged for R&D

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 Questions?

Special thanks for support:

E. Garcia Goma Dr. Rudi Santbergen

Module Characterization Researcher

egarcia@eternalsun.com
Website www.eternalsun.com
www.spiresolar.com

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