Title :
Reliability and accelerated life tests of the AC module mounted OKE4 inverter
Author :
Oldenkamp, H. ; de Jong, I.J. ; Baltus, C.W.A. ; Verhoeven, S.A.M. ; Elstgeest, S.
Author_Institution :
OKE-Services, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Abstract :
The quality, reliability and expected lifetime of the AC module inverter OKE4 is discussed. Performance with respect to harmonics, power factor and efficiency, based on laboratory and field tests meets existing standards, both in Europe and the USA. The OKE4 will also meet the Dutch national safety standard. The expected lifetime of AC module inverters is generally questioned as these will be mounted on the back side of the modules, while the cell temperature of thermally isolated PV modules can easily reach 80°C. In order to estimate the lifetime, accelerated life tests are currently being executed. To perform these tests, special equipment was developed and the inverter was modified
Keywords :
DC-AC power convertors; harmonic distortion; invertors; life testing; photovoltaic power systems; power system harmonics; solar cell arrays; solar cells; 80 C; OKE4 solar cell module inverter; PV power systems; accelerated life tests; efficiency; harmonics; power factor; reliability tests; safety standard; thermal isolation; Europe; Inverters; Laboratories; Life estimation; Life testing; Lifetime estimation; Power system harmonics; Reactive power; Safety; Temperature;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1996., Conference Record of the Twenty Fifth IEEE
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3166-4
DOI :
10.1109/PVSC.1996.564381
