Stabilization and performance characteristics of commercial amorphous-silicon PV modules

The successful commercialization of any new photovoltaic technology is difficult. Understanding the product's performance and aging characteristics is a prerequisite for the manufacturer. Amorphous-silicon thin-film modules are now in commercial production, and their market penetration is being limited to some degree by a lack of understanding of environmental influences that impact system design and operation. This paper summarizes our detailed performance characterization of multiple modules from four different manufacturers over several years of continuous outdoor exposure in Albuquerque, NM. Common stabilization characteristics have been observed for both tandem and triple-junction modules, and the influences of solar spectrum and seasonal (thermal) annealing have been clearly identified. Implications for system performance modelling are presented.