The PETROBRAS 45.5 kWp, grid-connected PV system: a comparative study of six thin-film module types operating in Brazil

Author

Rüther, R. ; da Silva, A.J.G. ; Montenegro, A.A. ; Salamoni, I.T. ; Araújo, R.G.

Author_Institution

Laboratorio de Energia Solar, Univ. Fed. de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil

fYear

2002

fDate

19-24 May 2002

Firstpage

1440

Lastpage

1443

Abstract

Previous work carried out at LABSOLAR in Brazil has established that thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si) is a good choice of PV technology for operation in warm and sunny climates. Meanwhile, PETROBRAS, the Brazilian oil company, is looking at different renewable energy technologies to spread its energy mix and energy product portfolio. The company, recognizing the present and future role that photovoltaics will play in the world energy scenario, has established links with LABSOLAR to receive training and build knowledge on PV. This paper describes the design and installation of the so far largest PV system in the country: a 45.5 kWp grid-connected thin-film system, comprising six sub-systems using PV modules from four different a-Si manufacturers, one cadmium telluride (CdTe) and one copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) manufacturer. The fully monitored PV installation will compare the long-term output performance of state-of-the-art thin-film technologies, looking at annual energy yields and performance ratios at both module and system levels.

Keywords

II-VI semiconductors; amorphous semiconductors; cadmium compounds; copper compounds; elemental semiconductors; gallium compounds; indium compounds; photovoltaic power systems; semiconductor thin films; silicon; solar cell arrays; ternary semiconductors; 45.5 kW; Brazil; Brazilian oil company; CIGS; CdTe; Cu(InGa)Se₂; LABSOLAR; PETROBRAS; PV modules; Si; annual energy yields; cadmium telluride; copper indium gallium diselenide; energy mix; energy product portfolio; grid-connected PV system; grid-connected thin-film system; long-term output performance; performance ratios; renewable energy technologies; state-of-the-art thin-film technologies; thin-film module; Amorphous silicon; Cadmium compounds; Copper; Petroleum; Photovoltaic cells; Portfolios; Pulp manufacturing; Renewable energy resources; Semiconductor thin films; Transistors;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE

ISSN

1060-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7471-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190880

Filename

1190880