Multifaceted Analyses of Four Different Prototype Lightweight Photovoltaic Modules of Novel Structure

Krzysztof Mik, Paweł Zawadzki, Jan Tarłowski, Marcin Bugaj, Piotr Grygiel and Sebastian Bykuć
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Krzysztof Mik: Energy Conversion and Renewable Resources Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 Str., 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland
Paweł Zawadzki: Energy Conversion and Renewable Resources Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 Str., 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland
Jan Tarłowski: Xdisc S.A., Jagiellońska 82 Str., 03-301 Warsaw, Poland
Marcin Bugaj: Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 24 Str., 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
Piotr Grygiel: Institute of Physics and Computer Science, Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics, Gdańsk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Sebastian Bykuć: Energy Conversion and Renewable Resources Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Polish Academy of Sciences, Fiszera 14 Str., 80-231 Gdańsk, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Dynamic growth of photovoltaic capacity in Poland encourages many entities to invest in photovoltaic systems. However, in the case of buildings with low roof-bearing capacity it can be problematic or even impossible to mount conventional PV modules due to their relatively high weight. Hence, the use of lightweight PV modules is a potential solution. In this paper four different prototype silicon lightweight modules of novel structure manufactured by the Xdisc S.A have been investigated in terms of their electrical and thermal features. The measurements showed that all prototypes have efficiency exceeding 19.5% and power in range of 214 to 242 Wp at standard test conditions. Their area density is about 3.5 kg/m 2 which is typical for lightweight modules. In turn, the Power-to-Weight Ratio exceeds 40 W/kg threshold and in one case reaches almost 58 W/kg. Thanks to the measurements, the prototypes could be modelled in PVsyst (PVsyst SA, Satigny, Switzerland). The performed simulations of an example PV system revealed that installations based on prototypes have comparable performance to a conventional installation. Nevertheless, at current prices they are less profitable than the standard system and it shows the need for future cost reductions in the manufacturing process. The proposed materials selection may be the starting point for search of inexpensive substitutes of these materials which still conserve modules high performance. A system based on the prototypes can still prove advantageous when simplicity and promptness outweigh higher initial costs.

Keywords: lightweight PV module; prototype; low roof bearing capacity; PVsyst simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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