Photovoltaic Module IV Traces and EL Images from Fielded Systems

613 paired current-voltage trace and electroluminescence image sets were collected from 438 unique commercial PV modules over a 6-year period. The modules, representing 28 models from 17 anonymized brands, were removed from fielded systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico for laboratory measurement after 0 to 5 years of outdoor exposure. Data includes acquisition parameters and exposure metadata.

Use Cases

• Train a computer vision model on electroluminescence images to detect module defects correlated with current-voltage trace anomalies.
• Analyze the relationship between length of outdoor exposure and current-voltage performance metrics across 28 unique module models.
• Build a predictive model for module degradation using anonymized brand and module model metadata alongside IV and EL acquisition parameters.
• Perform time-series analysis on the 6-year collection period to study performance changes in modules with varying outdoor exposure durations.

Strengths

• 613 paired IV and EL measurement sets provide a substantial basis for correlative analysis.
• Data spans a 6-year collection period with modules having 0 to 5 years of documented outdoor exposure.
• Covers 438 unique modules from 28 models and 17 brands, offering diversity in commercial PV technology.

Limitations

• The anonymization of 17 brands and 28 module models in the metadata limits direct manufacturer-specific analysis.
• Modules are exclusively from fielded systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which may not represent performance in other climates.
• Sample data and specific column definitions are unavailable for immediate review, requiring inspection of the AnonDB.csv file.

Provenance

Source

Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Laboratory at Sandia National Laboratories, Department of Energy.

Collection Method

Modules were removed from fielded systems and measured in a laboratory, with corresponding IV and EL data acquired.

Time Range

Measurements taken over a 6-year period.

Freshness

Last updated in May 2025.

Geography

Modules from fielded systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.