amorphous pv & high voltage arrays [RE-wrenches]

[Jerry Caldwell]

Matt,

The reason I ask this is because I know of a company
here in California that is in the process of re-wiring
some of their high voltage amorphous arrays because of
the decline in voltage over the attenuation period.  I
understand that it is common practice to leave modules
out of strings and connect them after they attenuate.

The system I mention utilizes Trace Tech industrial
inverters.  Has anyone on the list done a Sunny Boy
system with any amorphous pv?  Is there anything to
watch out for that is different than crystalline
arrays?

Jerry Caldwell
L.E.S.

--- Matt Lafferty <pvpro at attbi.com> wrote:
> Jerry asks:
> 
> > What kinds of problems are you encountering that
> are
> > exclusive to thin film arrays?  Are these problems
> due
> > to the fact that amorphous pv produces higher
> voltages
> > during it's breaking in period?
> 
> > Jerry Caldwell
> > Light Energy Systems
> 
> Good question.  We have encountered Zero issues with
> regard to "breaking
> in".  This is one of the misunderstandings that
> still exists relating to
> thin-films.  (Oh, God, I feel a "book" coming on!)
> 
> The differences between thin-film arrays and
> crystalline are many, some
> positive and others not so positive.
> 
> The higher voltage of the thin-films is one of the
> positives.  This requires
> less modules in series to achieve high-voltage
> configurations, and
> therefore, greater flexibility in sizing.
> 
> The two most significant differences are:
> 
> 1.  The Series Fuse Rating of thin-films requires
> more fusing and combining
> than with crystalline.
> 2.  The larger surface area required to accomodate
> an array reduces the
> number of candidate sites.
> 
> Thin films are incredibly more forgiving in the
> heat, shade, non-perfect
> orientations, fog, cloudy days, etc.
> 
> My personal perspective is that they are different
> technologies with
> different characteristics.  They each have their
> place and, therefore,
> should be evaluated on their strengths to determine
> the appropriate
> application for the candidate site.
> 
> Pray for Sun!
> 
> -Matt Lafferty
> pvpro at attbi.com
> 
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