Photovoltaics (PV) (Amorphous (thin-film))
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Renewable Energy Technologies
Description | Thin-film photovoltaic cells are second generation solar modules where thin films of photovoltaic material is deposited on a substrate, this films are 50 to a 100 times thinner than human hair and as efficient as the bulkier thick-film solar cells. Thin-film photovoltaic cells can produce up to 60 kWh of electric energy per square meter per year. In addition, as part of the facade, this state-of-the-art technology can be integrated seamlessly into a new building. Amorphous silicon, the material usually used for producing thin-film photovoltaic cells, is applied as a thin coating onto a glass panel through plasma processing. Weighing 20 to 30 mg/m², these thin-film modules are significantly lighter than the usual wafer-based modules, which can weigh up to 1kg/m². Moreover, thin-film photovol-taic cells have a greater energy efficiency compared to crystalline modules. Accordingly, they continue to produce electricity in indirect sunlight and are only marginally temperature-sensitive. Even at an inclination angle of under ten degrees, they maintain their full potential. (Arnold Zentralverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH: www.glaswerke-arnold.de) |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Characteristic features | |
Application barriers |
Insufficient maturity level (profitability) |
Information sources | http://solopower.com/ http://www.kaneka-solar.com/thin-film/ |
Image | |
Trade: | Building services |
Parameter | Minimal Value | Maximal Value | Unit |
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Quantity of Modules |
PCs | ||
Cell Efficiency |
% | ||
Panel Efficiency |
% | ||
Annual Degradation Rate in Panel Efficiency (Estimated Lineal Degradation) |
% | ||
Annual Energy Yield |
kWh/m2 | ||
Dimensions |
L/W/H in mm | ||
Weight |
kg | ||
Surface Area |
m2 | ||
Maximum Load |
Pa | ||
Nominal Power Pmax |
Wp | ||
Open Circuit Voltage Voc |
V | ||
Short Circuit Current Isc |
A | ||
Maximum Power Point Voltage Vmpp |
V | ||
Maximum Power Point Current Impp |
A | ||
Normal Operating Cell Temperature NOCT |
°C | ||
Power Temp. Coeff (W/°C) |
% | ||
Current Temp. Coeff (Isc/°C) |
% | ||
Voltage Temp. Coeff (Voc/°C) |
% | ||
Maximum System Voltage |
V | ||
Maximum Current for Safety Design Purpose Maximum Current |
A | ||
Operating Efficiency |
% | ||
Annual Degradation Rate in Efficiency |
% | ||
Annual Produced Energy |
kWh | ||
Investment Cost |
€/W | ||
Operating Cost |
% of plant price/year | ||
Replacement Cost |
€ | ||
Life Expectancy |
years |