New optical and thermal enhanced PV-modules performing 12% better under true module rating conditions

Improvements paying regard to actual operating conditions of PV-modules have been investigated. A result is the TOEPVIS-device (thermal and optical enhanced PV-module with integrated standing). It shows significantly lowered cell temperatures and higher efficiencies during operation by the use of an attached heat capacity built as a water tank which serves as the module foundation. Reduced reflection losses especially for nonperpendicular incidence have been achieved by an anti-reflective-coating, better matched refractive indices of the encapsulation layers and a selective V-structure on the front-surface. An additional feature-paying regard to BOS-is the substitution of the module framing, the support structure and the concrete foundation by the water tank, which allows implementation of all enhancements without extra costs. As a positive side-effect TOEPVIS devices have a very similar performance of actual measured results compared to results at STC (PR: 90%). Tests have been carried out in Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) and showed gains in electricity yield of up to 11.7% for sub-optimal devices.