Innovative Layouts for Utility-Scale PV Modules: Module Characteristics, Shading Tolerance, and Electricity Costs

Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) modules with different electrical module layouts are investigated and compared in terms of module characteristics, shading tolerance, and electricity costs. Potential module layouts and their influence on PV module properties are analyzed in detail to better understand the effects of power-plant requirements and constraints. With the Cross String, the Cross String+, and the Cross Fox, three alternative module layouts to the most common Butterfly layout are introduced. For all module layouts, the dissipated power under hotspot conditions and the residual power under different shading conditions is analyzed through a modelling approach. With the Cross Fox layout a potential reduction of the dissipated power under hotspot conditions by up to -51% was found, substantially reducing the risk of severe damage due to high temperature. In addition, for solar cell row shading along the short edge of a PV module, all alternative layouts show a more than 20% higher residual power compared to the commonly used Butterfly module layout. A levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) analysis is performed with an example power plant configuration (2P static), calculating relative costs of each novel module type in field conditions, with the Cross String layout indicating maximum savings of approximately 1% over the Butterfly design.