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Forestieri, A. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Forestieri, A. F..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Endurance testing of first generation /Block I/ commercial solar cell modules

NASA-LeRC has conducted outdoor endurance tests on modules commercially produced as part of the 46-kW purchase of first generation (Block I) modules by the JPL Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project. Block I modules from four manufacturers were installed at commercial testing sites in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Arizona and at noncommercial sites in Cleveland, Ohio. The conditions endured by these modules included hot and dry, hot and humid, tropical rain forest, sea-air, urban industrial and urban clean; exposures were for periods up to one year. Test results are presented and discussed.

Anagnostou, E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The ERDA/LeRC photovoltaic systems test facility

A test facility was designed, and built to provide a place where photovoltaic systems may be assembled and electrically configured, to evaluate system performance and characteristics. The facility consists of a solar cell array of an initial 10-kW peak power rating, test hardware for several alternate methods of power conditioning, a variety of loads, an electrical energy storage system, and an instrumentation and data acquisition system.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Solar cell shingle

A solar cell shingle was made of an array of solar cells on a lower portion of a substantially rectangular shingle substrate made of fiberglass cloth or the like. The solar cells may be encapsulated in flourinated ethylene propylene or some other weatherproof translucent or transparent encapsulant to form a combined electrical module and a roof shingle. The interconnected solar cells were connected to connectors at the edge of the substrate through a connection to a common electrical bus or busses. An overlap area was arranged to receive the overlap of a cooperating similar shingle so that the cell portion of the cooperating shingle may overlie the overlap area of the roof shingle. Accordingly, the same shingle serves the double function of an ordinary roof shingle which may be applied in the usual way and an array of cooperating solar cells from which electrical energy may be collected.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Real-time and accelerated outdoor endurance testing of solar cells

Real-time and accelerated outdoor endurance testing was performed on a variety of samples of interest to the National Photovoltaic Conversion Program. The real-time tests were performed at seven different sites and the accelerated tests were performed at one of those sites in the southwestern United States. The purpose of the tests were to help evaluate the lifetime of photovoltaic systems. Three types of samples were tested; transmission samples of possible cover materials, sub-modules constructed using these materials attached to solar cells, and solar cell modules produced by the manufacturers for the ERDA program. Results indicate that suitable cover materials are glass, FEP-A and PFA. Dirt accumulation and cleanability are important factors in the selection of solar cell module covers and encapsulants.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Preliminary results of accelerated exposure testing of solar cell system components

Plastic samples and solar cell sub modules were exposed to an accelerated outdoor environment in Arizona and an accelerated simulated environment in a cyclic ultraviolet exposure tester which included humidity exposure. These tests were for preliminary screening of materials suitable for use in the manufacture of solar cell modules which are to have a 20-year lifetime. The samples were exposed for various times up to six months, equivalent to a real time exposure of four years. Suitable materials were found to be FEP-A, FEP-C, PFA, acrylic, silicone compounds and adhesives and possibly parylene. The method of packaging the sub modules was also found to be important to their performance.

Anagnostou, E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

ERDA/Lewis research center photovoltaic systems test facility

A national photovoltaic power systems test facility (of initial 10-kW peak power rating) is described. It consists of a solar array to generate electrical power, test-hardware for several alternate methods of power conversion, electrical energy storage systems, and an instrumentation and data acquisition system.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Real time outdoor exposure testing of solar cell modules and component materials

Plastic samples, solar cell modules, and sub-modules were exposed at test sites in Florida, Arizona, Puerto Rico, and Cleveland, Ohio, in order to determine materials suitable for use in solar cell modules with a proposed 20-year lifetime. Various environments were encountered including subtropical, subtropical with a sea air atmosphere, desert, rain forest, normal urban, and urban-polluted. The samples were exposed for periods up to six months. Materials found not suitable were polyurethane, polyester, Kapton, Mylar, and UV-stabilized Lexan. Suitable materials were acrylic, FEP-A, and glass. The results of exposure of polyvinylidene fluoride were dependent on the specific formulation, but several types appear suitable. RTV silicone rubber (clear) appears to pick up and hold dirt both as a free film and as a potting medium for modules. The results indicate that dirt accumulation and cleanability are important factors in the selection of solar cell module covers and encapsulants.

Anagnostou, E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effects of outdoor exposure on solar cell modules in the ERDA/NASA Lewis Research Center Systems Test Facility

The effects of outdoor exposure were determined by comparing standard I-V data obtained for the as-received modules with similar data obtained after removal from the field and cleaning with detergent solution. All modules measured in this way exhibited nonrecoverable degradation in P sub maximum varying from 4 to 7 percent. One module exposed for 41 days exhibited partial cell discoloration, loss of front surface metallization over the discolored portion, and a decrease in P sub maximum of 7 percent, tentatively attributed to cell damage. Measurements before and after cleaning showed a recoverable degradation due to dirt accumulation. This recoverable loss in power was 11 percent after 245 days in the field for one brand of module, 6 percent after 48 days for another brand, and 4 1/2 percent for the third brand.

Weinberg, I.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Reduced costs for solar-cell modules

Production expenses are decreased by embossing encapsulating plastic film to position and secure cells. Electric circuit is printed on plastic film simultaneously with cell encapsulation process. Procedure can be used with standard-contact and wraparound contact cells.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Status of the ERDA/NASA photovoltaic tests and applications project

The Tests and Applications Project of the ERDA Photovoltaic Program is concerned with the testing of photovoltaic systems and the growth of their use in real terrestrial applications. This activity is an important complement to the development of low cost solar arrays by providing requirements based on application needs and stimulating markets to create demand to absorb increasing production capacity. A photovoltaic system test facility is now operational, market stimulation has been initiated through applications, and standards for terrestrial cell measurements established.

Deyo, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Photovoltaic Test and Demonstration Project

The Photovoltaic Test and Demonstration Project was initiated by NASA in June, 1975, to develop economically feasible photovoltaic power systems suitable for a variety of terrestrial applications. Objectives include the determination of operating characteristic and lifetimes of a variety of solar cell systems and components and development of methodology and techniques for accurate measurements of solar cell and array performance and diagnostic measurements for solar power systems. Initial work will be concerned with residential applications, with testing of the first prototype system scheduled for June, 1976. An outdoor 10 kW array for testing solar power systems is under construction.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Photovoltaic test and demonstration project

The primary objectives of the Photovoltaic Test and Demonstration Project are: (1) to determine operating characteristics for different solar cell systems and subsystems, (2) to prove, through tests and demonstrations, that solar cell systems can satisfy the requirements of potentially attractive residential, commercial, industrial, and smaller terrestrial applications, (3) to devise and implement the methodology, techniques and equipment to make accurate and reproducible measurements of solar cell and array performance, and diagnostic measurements on solar cells, modules and arrays, and (4) to determine the endurance of solar cell modules, component parts, and materials under expected environmental conditions.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Photovoltaic test and demonstration project

The considered project consists of three subprojects related to applications, device performance and diagnostics, and endurance testing. The objectives of the applications subproject include the determination of the operating characteristics for a variety of photovoltaic conversion systems. A system test facility is being constructed in this connection and a prototype residence experiment is to be conducted. Market demand for solar cells is to be stimulated by demonstrating suitability of solar cells for specific near-term applications. Activities conducted in connection with device performance studies and diagnostics are also discussed along with developments in the area of endurance testing.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Solar power roof shingle

Silicon solar cell module provides both all-weather protection and electrical power. Module consists of array of circular silicon solar cells bonded to fiberglass substrate roof shingle with fluorinated ethylene propylene encapsulant.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Inexpensive pocket-size solar energy meter (insolometer)

Device directly measures amount of energy available in sunlight falling on the earth over range from 1 to 1250 watts per square meter. Insolometer is ideally suited to making on-site measurements of available solar energy.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The effect of sunshine testing on terrestrial solar cell system components

Samples of FEP-encapsulated silicon solar cells and various potential encapsulation or cover materials were subjected to both accelerated and real-time testing. The durability of the samples was determined by measuring changes in solar cell output or optical transmission as a function of exposure. The tests revealed some problem areas in the structural integrity of the materials, e.g., delamination and cracking in FEP. These problems were probably related to defects in fabrication. FEP and Aclar had the least transmission loss after accelerated exposure equivalents of 5 and 3 years, respectively.

Forestieri, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The effect of sunshine testing on terrestrial solar cell system components

Samples of FEP encapsulated silicon solar cells and various potential encapsulation or cover materials were subjected to accelerated and real time testing. By measuring changes in solar cell output or optical transmission as a function of exposure the durability of the samples was evaluated. Results are presented.

Forestieri, A. F.↗