Field Evaluations

While accelerated laboratory testing is critical for isolating wear-out mechanisms and predicting module lifespans, real-world field evaluation remains the ultimate proving ground. The complex, dynamic interplay of natural ultraviolet light, diurnal temperature swings, wind, humidity, and varying ground albedo cannot be perfectly replicated indoors. To truly understand PV reliability, laboratory diagnostics must be validated against actual deployment conditions. Field evaluation bridges the gap between simulated stress and real-world energy yield, providing the hard data necessary to refine accelerated testing models and assure stakeholders of long-term plant viability.

ASU PRL conducts extensive real-world outdoor testing at our dedicated facility in the high-irradiance, high-temperature environment of the Sonoran Desert. In addition to local testing, our team performs comprehensive field evaluations of power plants across the United States to validate laboratory findings against actual, varied weather profiles.

Real-World Simulation & Infrastructure:

• Nationwide Power Plant Evaluations: We deploy field teams to conduct on-site evaluations of utility-scale and commercial power plants across various U.S. climatic zones. These assessments quantify real-world degradation, verify system safety, and audit overall plant performance.
• Tracking Systems: The ASU PRL test site features three distinct 2-axis trackers, utilized for evaluating dynamic module performance and energy yield under constant direct normal irradiance (DNI).
• Residential Simulation: A specialized mock rooftop testing facility capable of accommodating up to 20 modules. This allows researchers to accurately study the thermal dynamics and operating temperatures of residential flush-mount installations.
• Array-Scale Testing: Our outdoor testing grounds feature adjustable-tilt arrays capable of accommodating up to 90 commercial modules. This allows researchers to set and maintain specific seasonal tilts, providing an ideal platform for bulk degradation tracking, string-level reliability assessments, and comparative performance studies.

• Long-Term Degradation Studies: The lab utilizes this outdoor infrastructure to monitor and publish extensive data on the degradation rates of field-aged modules spanning 10 to 35 years. These studies combine metered kWh output with local weather station data using advanced statistical modeling.
• Bifacial Module Optimization: Dedicated field testing of bifacial solar modules across different albedo (ground reflection) conditions. By altering the ground cover, researchers can precisely quantify rear-side irradiance and validate the total energy yield gains of bifacial architectures in real-world environments.
• PID Recovery Observation: Our recent outdoor research includes analyzing the natural recovery behavior of Potential-Induced Degradation (PID) affected bifacial modules when exposed to natural sunlight under various albedo conditions.