Photovoltaic Degradation Climate Zones

PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative: Performance Index-Based Analysis

“…For each unique location, a scalar PV climate stressor value is generated, based on the method of Karin (2019). This value combines the annual temperature and humidity of the zone to generate a PV-specific score reflecting the relative stress of field deployment based on known weathering and degradation phenomena (Figure 5).…”

PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative (March 2020 Methodology Report)

“…This metadata included system geographic location, tilt and azimuth orientation, module, inverter components, meters, weather stations, and reference cells. We merged the available geographic location with climate data including the PV climate stressor information to evaluate possible vectors for degradation in the fleet [Karin 2019]. : PV Climate stressors and PV mounting configurations.…”

“…Temperature climate numbers are for ground-mount. Roof-mounted installations will tend to have even higher stress than ground due to the more restricted air flow [Karin, 2019].…”

Insights on the Degradation and Performance of 3000 Photovoltaic Installations of Various Technologies Across the United Kingdom

“…United States of America (USA): When amorphous silicon (a-Si) modules first became commercially available, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reported degradation rates higher than -1.0%/year [7]. In [8] and [9], similar results of the PV degradation were found in small (<10 kW) size PV installations exhibiting an annual degradation rate of approximately -0.8% to -1.25 %/year. Europe: A number of studies in Spain and Italy indicated degradation rates between -0.8% to -1.1%/year [10][11][12], while in other EU countries such as Germany, Cyprus, Greece and Poland, the reported rates were between -0.5% to -0.7%/year [13], [14], -0.8% to -1.1%/year [15], -0.9% to -1.13%/year [16], and greater than -0.9%/year [17], respectively.…”