Photovoltaic Module Testing at the Masdar Solar Hub

GCC Solar Photovoltaic Testing Centres Network, Dubai, UAE15&16 May 2017

Dr. Alexander Ritschel

Head, Applications Development, Masdar

OVERVIEW OF MASDAR

Masdar, a subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company, is mandated to expand the UAE’s energy portfolio by advancing, commercializing and deploying future energy and clean technologies

We operate across the industry value chain by merging higher education, R&D, investment and large-scale clean energy development

Our holistic business model fosters innovation and commercializing viable technologies

Academia &

Research

Investment

Technology

Deployment

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

INNOVATION LIFECYCLE – S-CURVE

OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH

Advance

Clean Tech

Innovation

Develop

Industry &

Knowledge

Platforms

Develop

Renewable

EnergyPioneer

Sustainable

Urban

Development

TRUSTED GLOBAL PLAYER

OVERVIEW OF MASDAR SOLAR HUB

The hub allows Masdar, Masdar Institute and the solar industry to collaborate on R&D and equipment testing

It brings together stakeholders from different sectors for development of new commercially driven projects

The Masdar Solar Hub combines and integrates infrastructure and expertise available at Masdar and Masdar Institute in the area of solar R&D and testing.

The hub focuses on the following technologies:

– Photovoltaic module testing

– Concentrating solar power (CSP)

– Thermal energy storage

– Electric Energy Storage

New PV & Battery TestingMasdar Institute Solar Platform (MIST)10MW PV Plant

STRUCTURE OF MASDAR SOLAR HUB

+• Clean Energy: PV plant developer

and owner

• Special Projects: PV plants and applications

• City: Development of Sustainable City

• Academic focus on renewable energy and sustainability

• Research and development on solar technologies

• Specialized laboratories

Commercial Research and development

ACTIVITIES OF MASDAR SOLAR HUB

Services offered include:

– Long-term outdoor exposure testing of PV modules

– Indoor testing of PV modules

– Testing of solar thermal equipment

– Testing of thermal energy storage systems

– Testing of batteries

PV

Photovoltaic Modules

Electric energy storage

E- Mobility

Solar Thermal

Concentrated solar power

Thermal energy storage

SOLAR POTENTIAL IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ABU DHABI CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Exposure to intense heat

Exposure to dust and sand storms

Exposure to high humidity and salt

Abu Dhabi climate: a challenging climate for PV systems

Temperature!

No rainfall! Dust Accumulation!

Successful demonstration of solar module performance in UAE’s extreme conditionsserves as a means to propel the technology in the regional PV market

Increase bankability of the technology

Technology shortfalls can be uncovered during the testing period

Manufacturers gain better understanding of possible risks and liabilities

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR TESTING IN THE UAE

Location: Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Capacity: 15 individual module test beds

Operated by Masdar in co-operation with Masdar Institute and TUV Rheinland

MASDAR PV TEST FACILITY

SERVICES PROVIDED AT MASDAR PV TEST FACILITY

PV services in our outdoor PV test facility Energy yield testing Long Term Outdoor Exposure Soiling analyses PID (Potential Induced Degradation) Electroluminescence Evaluation of automated cleaning systems

PV services at indoor PV test facility PV module STC measurement PV module low light measurement

CLEANING TEST FACILITY

Why a Cleaning Test Facility?

There is a real need for automated cleaning systems in the region

More and more cleaning solutions are offered, but limited long term experience

High relevance for Masdar’s commercial PV projects to select the best automated cleaning solution

Layout of Masdar’s Cleaning Test Facility

Fixed tilt section

1-axis tracker section

Will allow to test 6 cleaning systems in parallel (3 fixed, 3 tracking)

Thank you