Comparison of TPT and Thermally Conductive Backsheets in One-Cell Modules: Weather and Climate Dependence

Various improved backsheet materials have been developed and used by the industry to reduce the module operating temperatures. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the thermal characteristics of modules having thermally conductive backsheets (TCB) exposed in three different climatic conditions over two years. In this work, 30 one-cell PV modules with glass/EVA/cell/EVA/backsheet were fabricated using 2 different thermally conductive backsheets (TCB_A and TCB_B) and their backsheet temperatures were compared with conventional tedlar-polyester-tedlar (TPT) under different climatic conditions. The results clearly show that TCB_A operates at lower temperatures compared to TPT under hot climatic conditions with higher ambient temperatures and wind blowing from west direction at speeds 1-2 m/s. On the other hand, TCB_B operates at lower temperature than TPT under temperate climatic conditions with ambient temperatures between 25 and 35 °C and wind blowing from east direction at speeds 2-3 m/s.