Modeling the performance of amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules for different geographical locations in North-America

Abstract

In this work we use and further elaborate a previously proposed approach which models the energy performance of an amorphous silicon (a-Si) PV module, including the well-known Staebler-Wronsky effect (typical for this technology). The extensions of the model to cover geographical locations representative of different climatic zones in North America (Mexico City, New Orleans, Seattle, and Fort St. John BC), using as solar and meteorological input parameters time series provided by GeoModel, shows that the model can be used to describe, the energy performance of a-Si and its very peculiar seasonal pattern. In addition it further reinforces the idea that this technology is more suited to warmer climates (SWE) and to latitudes (in the northern hemisphere) between 0 and 45°, due to the considerable spectral losses (on sunny days during which the most energy is produced) for this technology in winter time at high latitudes. Further, we show that for each site we are able to decouple spectral and SW effects, which are very specific to this technology, and act on similar time phases. SWE effects become more significant for warmer climates (Mexico City, New Orleans), whereas the impact of spectral losses are considerable at high latitudes (Seattle, Fort St John) in winter time.