RESEARCH ROJECT

PROJECT SPECIFICATION

FOR:SUPREETH KRISHNA PRASAD

TOPIC: CONDITION MONITORING FOR THE LIFE CYCLE OF SOLAR CELLS

PROJECT AIM: The project aims at monitoring the life cycle and ageing mechanisms of solar cells in different conditions and explore different ways in which the efficiency of these cells can be maximized for the longest possible duration.

Project Background: Solar Panels are widely used in present day for Power Generation. It is cost efficient in terms of generation and maintenance although the starting costs are a bit on higher side. It is very important to pursue the concept of sustainable Energy due to the vast depletion of Renewable sources and also for their adverse effects. Hence power projects involving solar energy attracts major attention today. The maintenance of Solar Panels is also one of the important aspects in reducing the cost by increasing their life and hence efficiency. There are many ways solar cells can fatigue. The main objective of this project will be to identify and investigate the various factors causing ageing in panels and try to provide steps or ways in which ageing can be delayed.

PROGRAMME:

1. Research the background information regarding PV Solar Cell types (E.g. crystalline / monocrystalline / thin film amorphous silicon and CGI, and their panel construction.

2. Analyse the data available (past researches) and use it to create the preliminary report or background/introduction.

3. Collect useful and relevant data to measure the life and the development of fatigue processes of PV solar cells listed through varying physical conditions.

4. Evaluate existing modelling techniques for fatigue processes for PV solar cells and test models.

5. Investigate physical condition of aged solar cells available at USQ.

6. Develop a performance test and condition monitoring process for large PV arrays.

As time permits:

1. Develop a financial asset model for degradation and maintenance response for PV array.