Comparison of Indoor Characterization and Outdoor Energy Yield Measurements of Shade-Resistant and Standard PV Modules Under Partial Shading Conditions

The current energy crisis in Europe demands more renewable energy installation. Looking into the photovoltaic (PV) installations in Germany and The Netherlands, rooftop installations dominate about the share of 45% and 80% of the installations in these countries, respectively. However, rooftops have elements, such as chimneys and antennas, which can cast shadows leading to a drastic energy loss. Typical PV modules have three bypass diodes per module protecting the strings. In extreme cases, only 5% shading of the module area can lead to a total shutdown of the PV module by triggering the bypass diodes. Therefore, AESOLAR has developed a shade-resistant and hot-spot-free PV module to address this challenge and maximize the energy yield in a limited area. The PV module has integrated bypass diodes for each solar cell, showing up to 45% more energy yield than a similar standard module under partial shading conditions. In this work, we analyze and compare the indoor characterization and the outdoor energy yield of the shade-resistant and standard PV modules of AESOLAR that are made from a similar bill of materials under partial shading conditions. The results show a significant advantage in yield production compared to the standard module.