Three-year performance and reliability analysis of a 4 kW amorphous-silicon photovoltaic system in Michigan

Abstract

A 4 kW photovoltaic (PV) power system composed of 144 Sovonics R100 amorphous-silicon alloy modules was constructed in southeastern Michigan in early 1987. During more than three years of continuous operation, the system and its components have been reliable and durable. Analysis of array performance has shown initial degradation, followed by stabilization. Cyclic efficiency variations have been found to be related to solar spectrum, ambient temperature and past history of temperature.