Analysis of the Single-Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (PV) Module Performances Under Low γ-Radiation from Radioactive Source

The present paper is about an experimental evaluation of the terrestrial silicon single-crystalline solar PV module behavior under low gamma radiation. The simultanous proliferation of radioactive sources in Burkina Faso dominated by gamma type and the photovoltaic (PV) systems installations in both urban and rural areas justify this study. There is also high background radiation compared to normal in some region of the country. It has been shown that the photocurrent and the electric power increase while the photovoltage stays constant for an extremely low gamma radiation doses. This work proves that long time exposition to any low radiation can cause the reduction of the performance of the solar PV module. However for greater values of the dose, the photocurrent, the photovoltage and the electric power decrease. Hence, it is so important to protect PV equipments against gamma radiation by adjusting the PV installation height from the ground where high background radiation is notified or by putting reinforced concrete at their bottom faces. The two ways can be combinated adding the respect to radiation protection principle As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).