Sune Thorsteinsson

Luminescence imaging strategies for drone-based PV array inspection

The goal of this work is to perform outdoor defect detection imaging that will be used in a fast, accurate and automatic drone-based survey system for PV power plants. The imaging development focuses on techniques that do not require electrical contact, permitting automatic drone inspections to be perform quicker and with less manpower. The final inspection method will combine several techniques such as, infrared (IR), electroluminescence (EL), photoluminescence (PL), and visual imaging. Solar plant inspection in the future can be restricted only by imaging speed requirements, allowing an entire new perspective in large-scale PV inspection.

Bifacial PV cell with reflector for stand-alone mast for sensor powering purposes

Reflectors to bifacial PV-cells are simulated and prototyped in this work. The aim is to optimize the reflector to specific latitudes, and particularly northern latitudes. Specifically, by using minimum semiconductor area the reflector must be able to deliver the electrical power required at the condition of minimum solar travel above the horizon, worst weather condition etc. We will test a bifacial PV-module with a retroreflector, and compare the output with simulations combined with local solar data.

Designing high efficient solar powered lighting systems

Some major challenges in the development of L2L products is the lack of efficient converter electronics, modelling tools for dimensioning and furthermore, characterization facilities to support the successful development of the products. We report the development of 2 Three-Port-Converters respectively for 1-10Wp and 10-50 Wp with a peak efficiency of 97% at 1.8 W of PV power for the 10 Wp version. Furthermore, a modelling tool for L2L products has been developed and a laboratory for feeding in component data not available in the datasheets to the model is described.

Detection of potential induced degradation in c-Si PV panels using electrical impedance spectroscopy

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) is an established characterization and diagnostic method for different electrical and chemical research areas such as batteries and fuel cells, but not yet widely adopted for photovoltaics (PV). This work, for the first time, investigates an IS based method for detecting potential-induced degradation (PID) in c-Si PV panels. The method has been experimentally tested on a set of panels that were confirmed to be affected by PID by using traditional current-voltage (I-V) characterization methods, as well as electroluminescence (EL) imaging. The results confirm the effectiveness of the new approach to identify PID in PV panels.

Vertical reflector for bifacial PV-panels

Bifacial solar modules offer an interesting price/performance ratio, and much work has been focused on directing the ground albedo to the back of the solar cells. In this work we design and develop a reflector for a vertical bifacial panel, with the objective to optimize the energy harvest for the winter. Raytracing modelling is used to simulate the reflector, and initial simplified simulations indicates a significant gain in energy harvest that increase with increasing latitude for the winter. The simulations also show energy gain for the summer, however, not as significant as for the winter and the summer gain is almost independent of latitude.

Novel field test design for acquisition of DC and AC parameters during service

Being able to monitor early signs of PV module degradation, is needed to ensure stable power production throughout the service life of a PV installation. Recently, impedance spectroscopy is proven to be a useful tool for detection of the presence and location of significant errors, and may have potential for more. In this work we describe a field test design where the modules are operating at their maximum power point, and via relays is switched out one by one for acquisition of an IV curve and an impedance spectrum. Some of the modules involved will undergo stimuli to accelerate certain degradation mechanisms, and fitting parameters extracted from the field test will be correlated with irradiance and compared to similar parameters of virgin modules of same kind, and conventional laboratory measurements on the same modules. The proposed method will provide data for exploration of early degradation signs using impedance measurements.

Impedance Characterization of PV Modules in Outdoor Conditions

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) has been used for laboratory characterizations of photovoltaic (PV) technologies under well controlled conditions. This work applies IS for outdoor characterization of PV panels, in order to observe the effect of irradiance (G) and temperature (T) on the PV module’s impedance spectrum, and further construct an impedance model that can link environmental changes to the model’s parameters. To achieve this, an optimized setup has been developed for long-term impedance spectra monitoring synchronised with accurate irradiance and temperature data. Preliminary results show clear correlation between the determined parameters and ambient conditions.

PV LED Engine Characterization Lab for Standalone Light to Light Systems

PV-powered lighting systems, light-to-light systems (L2L), offer outdoor lighting where it is elsewhere cumbersome to enable lighting. Application of these systems at high latitudes, where the difference in day length between summer and winter is large and the solar energy is low requires smart dimming functions for reliable lighting. In this work we have built a laboratory to characterize these systems up to 200 Wp from “nose to tail” in great details to support improvement of the systems and to make accurate field performance predictions.