Optical Simulation and Applications in Solar Module Design-Yang Li

Faculty of Engineering School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering Optical Simulation and Applications in Solar Module Design CSPV 2018 Yang Li1, Ning Song1, Pei-Chieh Hsiao1, Mreedula Mungra1, Zi Ouyang1, Alison Lennon1, Ingrid Haedrich2, Marco Ernst2, Bonna Newman3, Mark Jansen3, Chen Zhu4, and Jun Lv451 1. UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia 3. ECN part of TNO, Amsterdam, Netherlands 5. Electronic information engineering college of Sanjiang University, Nanjing, China 2. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia 4. LONGi Solar Technology Co., Ltd., Xi’an, China ▪ Background ▪ New materials and designs are being used to improve the optical performance of modules ▪ However, cells, modules and systems are typically designed and optimised independently and based on STC assumptions ▪ Local modelling and optimisation do not necessarily guarantee a global optimum ▪ Methodology ▪ Introduction to System-oriented Modelling and Optimisation ▪ Potential applications in cell, module design and manufacturing, and system design and operation ▪ Application to Ribbon Scattering Films ▪ Modelling and simulations of scattering films and ribbons ▪ Discussions of simulation and measuring results ▪ Implications and suggestions for module manufacturers Outline 2 Realistic constrains of solar modules Location Weather haze and cloudy Tilts and orientations Different scenarios 3 Challenges in evaluation and optimisation 4 System Module Cell Jsc/Voc Eff/FFCell PowerModule Power PRSystem Cell simulator/tester Module simulator/flash tester PV System design/prediction software Environment working conditionsAM1.5 Normal AM1.5 Normal AM1.5 Normal Normally-used standalone optimisation Our approach Yield / Power / PR System-orientated evaluation and optimisation 5Li, Y., Chen, Y., Ouyang, Z. and Lennon, A., 2015. Angular matrix framework for light trapping analysis of solar cells. Optics express, 2324, pp.A1707-A1719. Designs Model Power Conditions Evaluation Optimisation Cell designs Module designs System designs Site info Weather data Angular Matrix Framework Ray-tracing TMM FDTD Weather Data Processing Angle of incidence Spectral distribution Temperature STC Power Annual Yield Cell optical designs Anti-reflection coating Texturing and light-trapping Front black silicon and rear nano structures Rear passivation and contacting layers Tandem structures Bifacial Cells 6 Module optical designs 7 Module anti-reflection and anti-soiling coatings Textured film and patterned glass Bifacial Modules Textured ribbon and LRFs Wires and no-busbar interconnection Light-scattering between cells System optical designs 8 Tilt, orientation and locations Theoretical performance benchmark Power forecasting Resource assessment and project design Operation and maintenance Grid integration and other applications Ribbon Scattering Film and Scattering Ribbon 9 Incident Light Glass EVA Cell Busbar Ribbon Scattering Film Scattering Ribbon Summary ▪ Challenges ▪ Current modelling and optimisation methods for solar modules are insufficient for evaluating the performance of new designs and new materials under “realistic” conditions ▪ Solution ▪ UNSW has developed a completed System-oriented Modelling and Optimisation approach ▪ It can assist the designing and optmisaition of solar cells, modules and systems ▪ It enables customised solar modules optimised for a specific location market ▪ Application for Scattering Ribbon and Films ▪ Scattering structures on ribbons can increase the current of a module ▪ Different scattering patterns result in different angular responses ▪ Poor alignment of scattering films on ribbon can reduce the gain ▪ Parameters describing angular optical losses could be added to module data sheets 10 Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge support from the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ARENA in their funding of ARENA grant 2017/RND002. The Australian Government, through ARENA, is supporting Australian research and development in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to help solar power become cost competitive with other energy sources. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government, and the Australian Government does not accept responsibility for any information or advice contained herein. The authors acknowledge contributions from Australian National University, ECN part of TNO, Longi Solar and DSM. Contact Yang Li yang.li3unsw.edu.au