BIPV modules with plated bifacial n-PERT cells and smart wire interconnection: Manufacturing, monitoring and energy-yield analysis

This contribution handles about BIPV modules made with plated bifacial n-PERT cells from imec. For the cell interconnection the advanced smart wire connection technology (SWCT) was used that can reduce silver consumption at cell level considerably. These modules were made for installation in a facade installation of the KU Leuven, with monitoring of module performance, weather conditions and module temperatures. The modules are all glass-glass, both transparent and white. The modules were inspected with EL, and I-V measurements at standard test conditions were performed (also from the back side for the transparent modules). The modules were installed in September 2017, monitoring started one month later. The most important finding was that the bifacial gain when using a white surface behind the module was only considerable when the modules were ventilated. The probable reason is that without ventilation, the extra heat generated by double-sided illumination results in a module temperature that is so high, that the decrease in Voc and FF almost completely compensates for the gain in Isc. The monitoring data still have to be analysed in more detail, including a comparison with energy yield calculations with the imec energy yield software that has been adapted for bifacial modules.

ISBN:3-936338-50-7

Publication year:2018

Accessibility:Open