Small Photovoltaic Module with Rectangular Cells for Reducing Output Degradation Caused by Spot Dirt

Abstract

This paper reports the output degradation reduction when spot dirt adheres to a small photovoltaic module with rectangular cells. A small photovoltaic module of 13 W was applied to various electric systems. The module consisted of single crystal silicon photovoltaic cells. The effect of the output degradation was studied by changing the aspect ratio of the photovoltaic cell. It was also studied the effect by changing the photovoltaic cell connection applied to the module. Changing the aspect ratio of the photovoltaic cell used for the photovoltaic module results in suppression of the output degradation by 80% or less with 3% of spot dirt on the module area