- A survey of field-aged crystalline silicon modules in
various climatic conditions in India was carried out, focusing on
modules, which show visible signs of degradation. Analysis of the
survey data indicates that the power degradation rate is highest
in the Hot & Dry climatic zone, followed by the Hot & Humid
zone, while it is least in the Cold zone. The degradation in power
output of crystalline silicon modules is primarily due to reduction
in the short-circuit current, followed by decrease in fill factor
while the decrease in open-circuit voltage is very small. Analysis
of the survey data also indicates that degradation rate of multicrystalline
silicon is slightly higher than that of mono crystalline
silicon.