Comparative energy performance analysis of small thin film PV plants

ENEA, within the frame of demonstration photovoltaic activities, has carried out, in close collaboration with KANEKA, a survey of a-Si based thin film modules PV plants in order to test and compare their operational performance over long time of exposure. The R&D activity was planned to evaluate the BOS (Balance Of System) performance and reliability as well as the PV modules behavior under the hard marine environment conditions (salt atmosphere, corrosion etc.). Because the thin film performance depends strongly on the rate of degradation over time, many data regarding both meteorological (irradiance, temperature, wind) and functional parameters (voltage, current, power, etc.) have been collected with the aim to gain useful knowledge on the medium and long term PV plants performances.