Techno-Economic Assessment of Half-Cell Modules for Desert Climates: An Overview on Power, Performance, Durability and Costs

Hamed Hanifi, Bengt Jaeckel, Matthias Pander, David Dassler, Sagarika Kumar and Jens Schneider
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Hamed Hanifi: AE SOLAR, Research and Development Department, 86343 Koenigsbrunn, Germany
Bengt Jaeckel: Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP), 06120 Halle, Germany
Matthias Pander: Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP), 06120 Halle, Germany
David Dassler: Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP), 06120 Halle, Germany
Sagarika Kumar: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Research and Development Center, MBR Solar Park, Dubai P.O. Box 564, United Arab Emirates
Jens Schneider: Laboratory Networked Energy Systems, Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK), 04107 Leipzig, Germany

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Photovoltaic modules in desert areas benefit from high irradiation levels but suffer from harsh environmental stress factors, which influence the Levelized Cost of Electricity by decreasing the lifetime and performance and increasing the maintenance costs. Using optimized half-cell module designs mounted in the most efficient orientation according to the plant requirements can lead to reduced production costs, increased energy yield and longer service lives for PV modules in desert areas. In this work, we review the technical advantages of half-cell modules in desert regions and discuss the potential gains in levelized costs of electricity due to reduced material consumption, a higher cell-to-module power ratio, lower module temperatures, better yields, reduced cleaning cycles and finally, reduced fatigue in interconnection due to thermal cycling. We show that half-cell modules are the most cost-effective option for desert areas and are expected to have a relevant lower Levelized Cost of Electricity.

Keywords: desert modules; half-cell module; soiling; performance; reliability; economics and costs (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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