Field test results for the 6 MW Carrizo solar photovoltaic power plant

Abstract

Testing of subgroups, trackers, and laminates was performed at the Carrizo Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant. Testing was performed to characterize the effects of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) degradation at the plant. EVA degradation is believed to have been accelerated by the high operating temperatures accompanying the use of mirrors to concentrate sunlight. Testing of 128 laminates revealed that degradation is highly non-uniform. Measured laminate peak power values ranged from 8.6 W to 47.8 W with an average value of 32.6 W. This average was 35.9% below the installed laminate rating at similar conditions. Mismatch between laminates contributed an additional power loss of 11.1%. Mismatch was found to increase with laminate temperature. One tracker was tested with and without mirror enhancement. It produced 3046.5 W with mirrors and 3275.9 W when the mirrors were covered. Preliminary results indicate that removal of the mirrors would increase the plant's peak power output on hot days.