Outdoor evaluation of photovoltaic modules using electroluminescence method

Abstract

It is mandatory to survey the output performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules to operate a PV system, appropriately. This article introduces the outdoor electroluminescence (EL) method. Synchronized operation of image-sensor and injection current involving an appropriate bandpass optical filter allows us to obtain a clear EL image even in a high light intensity environment. The developed system also gives us an accurate estimation of the open-circuit voltage from each solar cell using the EL image.