5/29/2018 Five Key Factors you must consider while selecting your PV module supplier – First Green Consulting

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Five Key Factors you must consider while CONTACT US

selecting your PV module supplier

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February 23, 2014 (http://www. rstgreen.co/2014/02/ ve-key-factors-while-selecting-your-pv-module-
supplier/)
by rstgreen (http://www. rstgreen.co/author/admin/)
in Learning Centre: Solar PV System Sizing (http://www. rstgreen.co/category/solar-pv-system-sizing/), News
Letter (http://www. rstgreen.co/category/news-letter/)

There are many PV module suppliers in the market, and if we assess the different characteristics
of the  PV module, it becomes challenging to compare the different suppliers and do the apple to
apple comparison. Obviously there are technical as well as commercial considerations while
selecting the solar PV modules, however in this article we would like discuss some of the
technical considerations which should be kept in your mind while choosing your PV module
suppliers.
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1. Electro(http://www.
Luminescence (EL) Testing: EL testing is performed by most of the companies however,
rstgreen.co/)
someEPC
of the module manufacturers
(http://www. are doing on random sampling basis, and some reputed
rstgreen.co/ rstgreen-solar-epc/)
suppliers conduct this test on 100% of the PV modules passing through this testing procedure. EL

imaging techniques are well established and can identify the defective modules or under
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performing modules and park them separately in a different lot. EL testing is performed just
before the packing of the PV modules in the whole process.
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2. Anti re ective Coating (ARC): Use of ARC coating on the PV module glass reduces light
re ectance thus maximizing the light coupling to the solar cells. Typically about 4% of the
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5/29/2018 Five Key Factors you must consider while selecting your PV module supplier – First Green Consulting Pvt Ltd

incident solar radiation are re ected through a normal glass and use of ARC coating on the PV
module glass increases its generation by up to 4%.

3. Bus-bar design: Typically the electricity from the solar cells is taken by the busbar made of
silver foil. A busbar on the module surface area reduces its expoed area to the light, hence some
of the PV module suppliers have back contact material and conduct the electricity generated
through cells through back contact and makes the cells 100% exposure to the solar radiations.
Also most of the PV module suppliers have typically two bus bars, and some of the suppliers use
the three busbar design which increases the conductive area and increases the cell resistive
power losses.  The 3 busbar design also reduces the  chances of generated current getting lost
because of the nger interruptions or breaks.

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4. Module Tolerance:  It is advisable to select the PV modules with a positive tolerance. Many PV
module suppliers provides modules with positive as well as negative toleranceof the range of
-5%+5% tolerance (10% range) or a -3%+3% (6%range) tolerance which is dif cult to handle and
will increase the module mismatch losses.

5. PID Free PV Modules: Potential Induced Degradation is a new problem being observed in the
Indian PV modules installations due to high temperatute and high humidity operating
conditions. It is advised to select a PID free module which has been tested for the PID test of
typically a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius, 85% relative humidity, 1000V DC and a time period
of about 96 hours. Under these conditions if the module has passed the PID test, then it can be
acceptable to work satisfactory in the Indian conditions.

We have just highlighted some ve critical factors for module selection, however there are other
considerations as well such as Aluminium framing, junction boxes, back side material, 25 yerar
guarantees and warrantees, Bankability of technology suppliers, etc.

Image courtesy: CNPV

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