• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

PV module is conventionally connected in series with some solar cell to adjust the output of module. Some bypass diodes in module are installed to prevent module from hot spot and mismatch power loss. However, bypass diode in module exposed outdoor is easily damaged by surge voltage. In this paper, we study the thermal and electrical characteristics change of module with damaged bypass diode to easily find module with damaged bypass diode in photovoltaic system consisting of many modules. Firstly, the temperature change of bypass diode is measured according to forward and reverse bias current flowing through bypass diode. The maximum surface temperature of damaged bypass diode applied reverse bias is higher than that of normal bypass diode despite flowing equal current. Also, the output change of module with and without damaged bypass diode is observed. The output of module with damaged bypass diode is proportionally reduced by the total number of connected solar cells per one bypass diode. Lastly, the distribution temperature of module with damaged bypass diode is confirmed by IR camera. Temperature of all solar cells connected with damaged bypass diode rises and even hot spot of some solar cells is observed. We confirm that damaged bypass diodes in module lead to power drop of module, temperature rise of module and temperature rise of bypass diode. Those results are used to find module with a damaged bypass diode in system.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Installed PV module in field is affected by shading caused by various field environmental factors. Bypass diodes are installed in PV module for preventing a power loss and degradation of PV module by shading. But, Bypass diode is easily damaged by surge voltage and has often initial a defect. This paper propose the electric characteristic variation and the power prediction of PV module with damaged bypass diode. Firstly, the resistance for normal bypass diode and damaged bypass diode of resistance was measured by changing the current. When the current increases, the resistance of normal bypass diode is almost constant but the resistance of damaged bypass diode increases. Next, To estimate power of PV module by damaged bypass diode, the equation for the current is derived using solar cell equivalent circuit. Finally, the derived equation was simulated by using MatLab tools, was verified by comparing experimental data.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.424.2-424.2
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• 2016

Solar cell converts light energy to electric energy. But a solar cell generates low power, PV module is fabricated by connected in series with dozens of solar cell. Owing to solar cell connected in series, power of PV module is influenced by shading or mismatch power of solar cells. To prevent power loss of PV module by shading or mismatch current, Bypass diodes are installed in PV module. Bypass diode operating reverse voltage by shading or mismatch power of solar cells bypass mismatch current. However, bypass diode in module exposed outdoor is easily damaged by surge voltage. In this paper, we confirm characteristics variation of PV module with damaged bypass diode. As a result, power of PV module with damaged bypass diode is reduced and Temperature of that is increased.