Performance Characteristics of an Amorphous-based Solar Photovoltaic System in Malaysian Field Conditions

The applications of photovoltaic power systems around the globe is ever increasing. Much data have been compiled with the various lessons have been learnt. Whilst a plethora of database is easily available for monocrystalline, as well as polycrystalline PV systems, it is relatively more lacking for the amorphous silicon (a-Si) based PV systems. Moreover, many of the performance data available referred to systems in temperate climate countries. It has been claimed that a-Si based systems work better in hotter climate. Thus a study has been made to compile data and perform technical performance evaluations on such a system, in an equatorial climate country, vis-à-vis Malaysia. This paper presents a summary of the analysis of the performance characteristics of a small scale stand-alone a-Si based solar photovoltaic system in outdoor operation in Malaysia. Three stand-alone PV systems, based on the a-Si technology have been installed, namely: 12 Wp, 24 Wp and 36 Wp. Details of each set-up are presented in the paper. A comparative study between the three systems designs in terms of performance indices and costs are presented and discussed.