Workshop: 2023 Photovoltaic Systems

October 12, 2023 | Aloft Orlando International Drivel Hotel

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) hosted a workshop on photovoltaic (PV) systems durability research at SETO. There were several presentations, each followed by guided discussion among workshop participants on the likely impact of the presented work, idea generation for future research, and how the work presented can be, or already is, implemented in industry. 

Presentation Topics:

  • Racking and Tracker Design for Mechanical Durability
  • Cabling and Connector Durability Data and Potential Cost Impact
  • Inverter Predictive Reliability Modeling
  • Sensing, Imaging, and Predictive Modeling of PV Arrays

Agenda

Time
Event
Speaker(s)/Discussion Topics
8:00 AM

Pre-workshop Gathering

 
8:30 AM 

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. Allan Ward, Technology Manager, DOE SETO
9:00 AM

Racking and Tracker Design for Mechanical Durability 

Jon Ness, President/Principal Engineer, Matrix Engineering, LLC
9:30 AM 

Discussion
  • Standards and specifications for mechanical design 
  • Training and awareness for designers and O&Ms 
  • Natural disaster robustness 
10:00 AM

Cabling and Connector Durability Data

Dr. Laurie Burnham, Principal Member Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories

Dr. Andy Walker, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
10:30 AM 

Discussion
  • Observations from the field – is this a problem?
  • Standards and specs for cabling and connectors
  • Potential financial concerns (CapEx, OpEx, liability)
Noon

Lunch Break

 
1:30 PM 

Inverter predictive reliability modeling

Professor Patrick McCluskey, The University of Maryland
2:00 PM 

Discussion
  • Root cause of power loss/underperformance identification
  • Need for a predictive tool for inverter design or O&M
  • Industry challenges and how SETO can help
2:30 PM 

Sensing, Imaging, and Predictive Modeling of PV Arrays

Dr. Hubert Seigneur, The University of Central Florida

Professor Kris Davis, The University of Central Florida
3:00 PM 

Discussion
  • Root cause of power loss/underperformance identification
  • Response time improvement (natural disaster)
  • Response optimization (automated maintenance and repair)
3:30 PM

Break

 
3:45 PM

Breakout Session

Participant suggestions for future PV system durability research
4:45-5:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Dr. Allan Ward, Technology Manager, DOE SETO

Additional Information

•    Explore SETO’s work in photovoltaics. 
•    View more upcoming SETO events and webinars.
•    Subscribe to the SETO newsletter.