Degradation and comparative experimental study of crystalline photovoltaic module after a few years outdoor exposure in casamance and cologne climate

In the present study, degradation analysis of two System of 20 poly-crystalline silicon PV module are investigated. This study reports data collected from 20 distinct poly-crystalline modules deployed at two cities with different weather conditions. The first system is installed in Casamance (Senegal), and the second one in Cologne (Germany). After a few years exposition in outdoor, a comprehensive analysis has been carried out through visual inspection, infrared thermal imaging and I-V characteristic. The global degradation of the power output (Pmax) has been measured to be from 8.75%/year to 22.45%/year in Casamance and 0.8%/year to 1,4%/year in Cologne. The following degradation mechanism have been detected: delamination (corrosion), hot-spot, soiling and cell crack.