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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N04232/01
Title: CHARACTERISATION & PERFORMANCE MODELLING OF AMORPHOUS SILICON ARRAYS FOR BUILDING INTEGRATED PV SYSTEMS
Principal Investigator: Infield, Professor D
Other Investigators:
Kearney, Professor M
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
BP Intersolar Group Plc
Department: Electronic, Electrical & Systems Enginee
Organisation: Loughborough University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 June 2000 Ends: 30 September 2003 Value (£): 192,197
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Solar Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Current PV systems models are unable to accurately calculate the performance of amorphous silicon arrays. Primarily this is because their operation is different to crystalline silicon technology for which existing models are of adequate accuracy.The model to be developed must be capable of properly representing shading effects, module temperature, device degradation and the annual variation in the spectra and global level of incident radiation as well as the electrical/electronic configuration.Before a suitable model can be developed, it is essential to develop accurate models of the key processes involved in the operation of amorphous silicon cells; namely spectral response, temperature effects and the cycles of degradation and recovery observed with this technology. This will be undertaken through the collection of extensive, high quality data under controlled conditions to be collected using CREST's solar simulator for a variety of devices. The resulting cell models will be validated against outdoor measurements made on cells and modules.Finally, an overall system model will be assembled which will take account of the module characteristics together with the electrical/electronic configuration and shading effects. The system model will be validated against data from Loughborough's large-scale solar simulator, and data from operational ..
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Organisation Website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk