Analysis of a CIS based PV generator versus a multicrystalline generator under outdoor long-term exposure

Abstract

The worldwide growth of the PV market has been almost exponential during the last years. Together with conventional crystalline (c-Si) PV modules, “new” commercially available PV technologies such as copper indium selenide (CIS) based solar cells have appeared achieving a similar efficiency comparable to c-Si at similar production cost. In addition to the use of cheaper materials, CIS solar cells manufacturers claim some enhancements such as lower temperature coefficient or higher absorption of diffuse light that achieve to reduce the cost of electrical energy. Although several papers deal with this topic, little is known about real comparisons between CIS technology and conventional crystalline at a PV generator level with real test conditions. This paper analyses the in-field performance and degradation of a commercially available CIS solar based PV generator compared to a conventional c-Si one during four years of operation attributing the differences observed to the possible factors that can influence in both technologies.