Poster

INCREASED RELIABILITY FOR PV IN ALPINE ENVIRONMENT

September 2023

Conference: EU PVSEC 2023 Lisboa

Authors:

Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut (OFI)

OFI Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik / Austrian research institute for chemistry and technology

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

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In Alpine countries such as Austria and Switzerland, PV systems are to be increasingly installed in mountain regions in the future. The main reasons for this are (i) the lack of open space in the valleys and plains and (ii) the expected higher (winter) energy production at higher altitudes. Due to higher irradiation and lower ambient temperatures, systems at high altitudes can lead to higher energy yields than systems in the valley. In addition, the reflectivity of snow can have a positive effect, especially in winter when electricity is most needed. However, PV systems operating in harsh and demanding environments have to withstand more mechanical stress compared to those in temperate climate zones [1]. No specific accelerated aging tests are currently available to simulate these harsh alpine conditions. Therefore, the main objective of the PV-Detect project is to develop an advanced test methodology for an accelerated and optimized product development of PV modules suitable for operation in demanding environments (e.g. strong solar radiation, heavy snow or wind loads).

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