Determination of the effects of temperature changes on solar glass used in photovoltaic modules

Abstract

Solar glass is one of the most important components of PV modules and it protects solar cells from harsh environmental conditions. Considering that the PV modules have around 25-year lifetime, it is preferred that the PV modules operate in stable conditions. This situation also changes the temperature of the solar glass due to environmental and operating conditions. The scope of this study is testing the durability of the solar glass used in PV panels in different environmental conditions. Two different types of solar glass, called type A and type B, will be examined in this study. In the measurement results for the A samples, values of the exergy efficiency change between 0.67% and 1.42%; while the ones for the samples B range from 0.66% to 1.49% in parallel with the solar radiation. From the same standpoint, energy and power conversion efficiency values have been determined for both solar glass types. Among different wavelength densities, the reflectance ratios of the samples used in the experimental study vary from 2% to 8% for the sample A and from 6% to 14% for sample B. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.