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

fYear

1996

fDate

13-17 May 1996

Firstpage

1339

Lastpage

1342

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;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 1996., Conference Record of the Twenty Fifth IEEE

Conference_Location

Washington, DC

ISSN

0160-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3166-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.1996.564381

Filename

564381