• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are environmentally friendly energy-conversion devices to generate electricity via the photovoltaic effect of semiconductors on solar energy. One of key elements in PV modules is "Backsheet," a multi-layered film to protect the devices from a variety of chemicals including water vapor. A representative Backsheet is composed of polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). PVF is relatively expensive, while showing excellent resistance to chemical attacks. Thus, it is necessary to develop alternatives which can lower its high production cost and guarantee lifetime applicable to practical PV modules at the same time. In this study, PET films with certain levels of crystallinity were utilized instead of PVF. Since it is well known that PET is suffering from trans-esterification and hydrolysis under a wide pH range, it is needed to understand decomposition behavior of the PET films under PV operation conditions. To evaluate their chemical decomposition behavior within a short period of times, accelerated decomposition test protocol is developed. Moreover, electrochemical long-term performances of the PV module employing the PET-based Backsheet are investigated to prove the efficacy of the proposed concept.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.114-117
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• 2023

Transparent Photovoltaic (PV) modules have recently been in the spotlight because they can be applied to buildings and vehicles. However, crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar modules, which account for about 90% of the PV module market, have the disadvantage of applying transparent PV modules due to their unique opacity. Recently, a see-through type PV module using a crystalline silicon solar strap has been developed. However, there is a problem due to a decrease in aesthetics due to the metal ribbon in the center of the see-through type PV module and difficulty bonding the metal ribbon due to the low voltage output of the strap. In this study, to solve this problem, we developed a fabrication process of series connected c-Si solar strap cells using the c-Si solar cells. We succeeded in fabricating a series connected strap with a width of 2-10 mm, and we plan to manufacture an aesthetic see-through type c-Si PV module.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2009.07a
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• pp.478_479
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• 2009

It is important to find the maximum efficient conditions for the output of the photovoltaic(PV) system to determine the optimal installation location of the PV system. The output of PV system depends on the irradiance. Therefore, this paper introduces the pilot experiment set to track the output of PV system according to the variance of irradiance and analyzes the result of experiment using this set. The pilot experiment set consists of the PV modules and the inverter to convert DC power to AC power. For this experiment, the fixed and tracked modules are used.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.48-52
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• 2008

The photovoltaic modules are affected by heat. The hotter the PV module, the lower the power output, then the life time will be short. If the cell temperature rises above a certain limit the encapsulating materials can be damaged, and this will degrade the performance of the PV module. This paper presents that the PV module temperature can be estimated by using thermal analysis programs, and demonstrates the thermal characteristics of the PV module.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.11
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• pp.1545-1550
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• 2014

Fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) of photovoltaic (PV) power systems is one of significant techniques for reducing economic loss due to abnormality occurred in PV modules. This paper presents a new FDD method against PV power systems by using statistical comparison. This comparative approach includes deviation signals between the outputs of two neighboring PV modules. We first define a binary hypothesis testing under such deviation and make use of a generalized likelihood ratio testing (GLRT) theory to derive its FDD algorithm. Additionally, a recursive computational mechanism for our proposed FDD algorithm is presented for improving a computational effectiveness in practice. We carry out a real-time experiment to test reliability of the proposed FDD algorithm by utilizing a lab based PV test-bed system.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2015

Soiling is the accumulation of dirt on photovoltaic (PV) modules and can reduce the performance of the PV power plant depending on the site location. Nevertheless, the reason which can not be the great interest to researchers of PV reliability is the phenomenon of performance loss caused by external environmental factors, not the internal degradation of the PV module. In this paper, we provide the phenomenon, history, research overview and mitigation method in order to help understanding of the soiling.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.359-362
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• 2016

In the PV (Photovoltaic) power system, a junction box collects the DC voltage generated from the PV module and transfers it to the PCS (power conditioning system). The junction box prevents damage caused by the voltage difference between the serially connected PV modules and provides convenience while repairing or inspecting the PV array. In addition, the junction box uses the diode to protect modules from the inverse current when the PV power system and electric power system are connected for use. However, by using the reverse blocking diode, heat is generated within the junction box while generating electric power, which decreases the generating efficiency, and causes short circuit and electric leakage. In this research, based on the purpose of improving the performance of the PV module by decreasing the heat generation within the junction box, a junction box with a built-in bypass circuit was designed/manufactured so that a certain capacity of current generated from the PV module does not run through the reverse blocking diode. The manufactured junction box was used to compare the electric power and heating power generated when the circuit was in the bypass/non-bypass modes. It was confirmed that the electric power loss and heat generation indicated a decrease when the circuit was in the bypass mode.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.439-444
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• 2020

An increase in the temperature of photovoltaic (PV) modules causes reduced power output and shorter lifetime. Because of these characteristics, demands for the heat dissipation of PV modules are increasing. In this study, we attached a heat dissipation sheet to the back sheet of a shingled PV module and observed the temperature changes. The PV shingled module was tested under Standard Test Conditions (STCs; irradiance: 1,000 W/㎡, temperature: 25℃, air mass: 1.5) using a solar radiation tester, wherein the temperature of the PV module was measured by irradiating light for a certain duration. As a result, the temperature of the PV module with the heat dissipation sheet decreased by 3℃ compared to that without a heat dissipation sheet. This indicated that the power loss was caused by a temperature increase of the PV module. In addition, it was confirmed that the primary parameter contributing to the reduced PV module output power was the open circuit voltage (Voc).

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.46-50
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• 2019

The photovoltaic (PV) system consists of solar cells, solar modules, inverters and peripherals. The related evaluation and certification are proceeding as standards published by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) TC (Technical Committee) 82. In particular, PV module is a component that requires stable durability over 20 years, and evaluation in various external environments is very important. Currently, IEC 61215-based standards are being tested, but temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation conditions are not considered in all areas. For this reason, various types of defects may occur depending on the installation area of the same photovoltaic module. In particular, the domestic climate (South Korea) is moderate. The various test methods proposed by IEC 61215 are appropriate, excessive, or insufficient, depending on environmental condition. In this paper, we analyze the climate data collection for one year to understand the vulnerability of this test method of PV modules. Through this, we propose a test method for PV module suitable for domestic climatic conditions and also propose a technical consideration for installation and design of PV system.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.56-62
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• 2010

The integration of PV modules into building facades or roof could raise their temperature that results in the reduction of PV system's electrical power generation. Hot air can be extracted from the space between PV modules and building envelope, and used for heating in buildings. PV/thermal collectors, or more generally known as PVT collectors, are devices that operate simultaneously to convert solar energy from the sun into two other useful energies, namely, electricity and heat. This paper compares the experimental performance of BIPVT((Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal) collectors that applied on building roof and facade. There are four different cases: a roof-integrated PVT type and a facade-integrated PVT type, the base models with an air gap between the PV module and the surface, and the improved models for each types with aluminum fins attached to the PV modules. The accumulated thermal energy of the roof-integrated type was 15.8% higher than the facade-integrated regardless of fin attachment. The accumulated electrical energy of the roof-integrated type was 7.6% higher, compared to that of the facade-integrated. The efficiency differences among the collectors may be due to the fact that the pins absorbed heat from the PV module and emitted it to air layer.