TY - GEN
T1 - Evaluation of four geomembrane-mounted PV systems for land reclamation in Southern Arizona
AU - Brooks, Adria E.
AU - Allen, Nathan
AU - Lonij, Vincent P.
AU - Cronin, Alexander D.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - We describe four different photovoltaic (PV) systems that are deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include: two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies, and two different locations. We explain the different module mounting techniques that are unique to mine tailing sites. We also describe several failures that occurred during the first two years of operation. We present and validate predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance. We find PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are more structurally stable, and have fewer wiring failures.
AB - We describe four different photovoltaic (PV) systems that are deployed around Tucson Arizona on geomembranes to test the feasibility of converting mine tailings and landfills into solar energy generating sites. Differences between these deployed systems include: two types of geomembrane materials, two different module anatomies, and two different locations. We explain the different module mounting techniques that are unique to mine tailing sites. We also describe several failures that occurred during the first two years of operation. We present and validate predictions for the operating temperature of these systems and their associated electrical performance. We find PV modules mounted on light-colored thermoplastic with shielded wiring operate at lower temperatures, are more structurally stable, and have fewer wiring failures.
KW - current-voltage characteristics
KW - photovoltaic systems
KW - polyethylene
KW - power measurement
KW - surface-mount technology
KW - system performance
KW - thin films
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84869425173&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84869425173&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/PVSC.2012.6317669
DO - 10.1109/PVSC.2012.6317669
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84869425173
SN - 9781467300643
T3 - Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
SP - 520
EP - 525
BT - Program - 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2012
T2 - 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2012
Y2 - 3 June 2012 through 8 June 2012
ER -