As a clean and renewable energy conversion technology, the efficiency of photovoltaic modules is limited by many factors, among which temperature and humidity are important factors. Therefore, it is of great significance to conduct in-depth research on the impact of temperature and humidity on the efficiency of photovoltaic modules. The Damp Heat Test Chamber from Millennial Solar simulates harsh environmental conditions and evaluates module reliability through damp and heat tests. This article will introduce the impact of temperature on solar module efficiency and the characteristics of the Damp Heat Test Chamber.

What is photovoltaic module conversion efficiency?

The module converts light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. The more sunlight it receives, the more electrical energy it generates. But if the panel overheats, it will actually produce less power, reducing the module's conversion efficiency.

Conversion efficiency refers to the ratio of photovoltaic modules that convert light energy into electrical energy. It is used to measure the maximum amount of electricity that the module can generate under peak conditions. The higher the value, the higher the conversion rate. Power generation efficiency is affected by many factors, including materials, light intensity, temperature, humidity and other factors. In recent years, due to technological innovation and progress, the efficiency of components has been significantly improved: the efficiency of consumer components is usually between 15% and 25%; laboratory tests have achieved higher efficiencies - more than 40%, but not yet For general consumer use.

bandgap efficiency

How does temperature affect the efficiency of photovoltaic modules?

The effect of temperature on module efficiency is twofold. On the one hand, higher temperatures lead to a decrease in efficiency, since photovoltaic modules work based on the photovoltaic effect: when light strikes a semiconductor material, electron-hole pairs are generated. However, at high temperatures, the conductive properties of semiconductor materials are affected, and the recombination speed of electrons and holes increases, thereby reducing the efficiency of photovoltaic modules.

On the other hand, lower temperatures can also have a negative impact on the efficiency of PV modules. At low temperatures, the internal resistance of photovoltaic modules increases, causing a loss of current and thus reducing the output power. In addition, low temperature will also cause frost or snow to accumulate on the surface of the module, further reducing the light transmittance and affecting the photovoltaic effect.

Panel temperature and power loss graph

Relationship between temperature, humidity and module efficiency

There is a correlation between temperature, humidity and photovoltaic module efficiency. Generally speaking, higher temperatures reduce efficiency, while lower humidity increases yield and efficiency. Photovoltaic modules generally perform better at lower temperatures.

When the temperature of a photovoltaic module rises above 25°C (77°F), its efficiency will decrease due to the temperature coefficient; secondly, under high temperature conditions, the module will absorb radiant heat, resulting in energy loss and further affecting the power generation of the module. efficiency.

Humidity has both positive and negative effects on module efficiency: on the one hand, high humidity leads to an increase in cloud cover and atmospheric water vapor. Humid air will scatter or absorb sunlight, thereby reducing the solar irradiance reaching the photovoltaic modules; excessive humidity will also cause dirt and dust to accumulate on the surface of the panel, reducing light absorption and leading to a decrease in efficiency. High humidity may also cause water to accumulate on the surface of the component, forming a water film, further hindering light transmission and absorption. Humidity, on the other hand, can promote heat transfer through evaporation and condensation, keeping PV modules cooler, thereby mitigating some of the adverse effects of high temperatures on efficiency.

Temperature and humidity are crucial to the efficiency of modules. The Damp Heat Test Chamber from Millennial Solar simulates these harsh environmental conditions through photovoltaic module damp and heat tests, complies with IEC standards and related content, and assists manufacturers to deeply understand the performance and durability of photovoltaic modules.

Damp Heat Test Chamber

E-mail: market@millennialsolar.com

Introduce:

Photovoltaic modules will withstand various harsh weather tests during their application. Among them, the performance of components such as their ability to withstand high temperatures, high humidity, and long-term moisture penetration needs to be evaluated. Damp heat simulation tests are used to verify and evaluate the reliability of photovoltaic modules or materials, and to identify manufacturing defects early through thermal fatigue-induced failure modes.

Fulfill the standard:

IEC61215-MQT13; IEC61730-MST53

Features:

Continuous operation for more than 1,000 hours at 85°C and 85%RH requires ultra-high stability. The Damp Heat Test Chamber developed by Millennial is very high-quality in terms of manufacturing process and electronic equipment reliability.

•Built-in circulating air duct and long-axis ventilator for effective heat exchange, making the temperature inside the environmental box uniform and stable

•Adopt imported temperature controller to realize multi-stage temperature programming with high precision and good reliability

•Can operate in continuous high temperature and high humidity environment, and can also conduct high and low temperature interactive tests according to the engineering staff's plan

•With a potential-induced degradation testing machine, the performance of photovoltaic modules can be observed more intuitively

•Temperature fluctuation: ±0.5℃

•Humidity fluctuation: ±2.0%RH

Damp Heat Test Chamber can be used with Potential Induced Degradation (PID) Tester

E-mail: market@millennialsolar.com

Introduce:

Long-term leakage current will cause changes in the state of the cell carriers and depletion layer, corrosion of the contact resistance in the circuit, and electrochemical corrosion of the packaging materials, resulting in cell power attenuation, increased series resistance, and reduced light transmittance. , delamination and other phenomena that affect the long-term power generation.

Fulfill the standard:

IEC61215-MQT21; IEC62804

Features:

•The frame end of the module is grounded, which not only simulates the actual situation, but also prevents potential dangers caused by high voltage on the frame;

•Each channel is independent of each other, and the voltage size, polarity and time of multiple channels can be set independently;

•Multiple voltages, leakage current, and insulation resistance are displayed simultaneously;

•Real-time monitoring of voltage, leakage current, and insulation resistance curves;

As the photovoltaic industry continues to grow, improvements in module efficiency are helping to make solar energy more cost-effective and accessible, contributing to its growing popularity as a clean, renewable energy source. The Damp Heat Test Chamber from Millennial Solar provides a more effective guarantee for the quality and reliability of photovoltaic modules by simulating various climatic conditions and testing the reliability of modules in compliance with IEC international standards, helping you achieve optimal energy production and return.