Evaluation of amorphous silicon module outdoor performances

Abstract A two-year program, called ASILEC, between the French Atomic Energy Commission and the Commission of European Communities was initiated in 1990 to investigate the effects related to stability performance of amorphous silicon modules as a function of time. The on-site tests of modules operating under normal in-situ conditions are carried out on the CEA-Cadarache test facility in the south of France. The Photovoltaic Group at the Technical Valorisation Laboratory CEA-Cadarache has been assigned the lead responsibility for measuring, identifying, and analysing the quantitative weight of phenomena likely to cause a decrease in performance of a-Si:H modules under natural sunlight exposure. In this work we present the results of measurements in outdoor conditions of 216 amorphous modules commercially available, made by three American and two French manufacturers. Test results of short-term degradation and long-term degradation are analysed.