Lightning is one of the main factors that cause Photovoltaic (PV) systems to fail. The PV modules inside PV systems, like any other electric equipment, will be degraded under electrical stress. The effect of electrical degradation of the PV modules caused by lightning induced voltage has been rarely reported. In the dissertation, the electrical properties degradation of a polycrystalline silicon module was studied. Firstly, lightning impulse voltages of positive polarity ranging from low to high are applied on different groups of the testing modules. All these lightning impulse voltage tests are conducted in the same experimental condition except for their stress voltage magnitudes. The maximum power output, I-V characteristics, and dark forward I-V curve are measured and reported periodically during the lightning impulse voltage tests. By comparing the maximum output power and changes in the internal electrical properties, it could be concluded that lightning impulse voltages, even medium voltage levels, will cause degradation to the sample. The relationship of the maximum output power and the number of applied impulses for different testing voltage levels are compared. An analysis of the electrical property changes caused by the lightning impulse voltages is presented. Secondly, a group of samples are tested with lightning impulse voltage of negative polarity. A comparison of the impulse voltage aging effects at the same voltage level with positive polarity is made. The maximum power output drop caused by positive and negative lightning impulses are compared. Laboratory results revealed that positive and negative lightning impulses will not only influence the degree of degradation, but also lead to different electrical property changes. Finally, a comparison of the effect of lightning impulses combined with other stress factors are discussed. The study simulates a field-aged sample’s behavior at lightning impulse voltage testing conditions. The result suggests that the degradation caused by lightning impulse voltage is greatly accelerated when the sample has bubbles and delamination. Electrical breakdown of the module is caused by the failure of the insulation.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Electrical energy generation with photovoltaic cells is being more utilized. Not only on large scale systems, but also in small ones connected to the grid. Parallel operating with the great generators from power companies, in a non-centralized way of operation, supplying low power, installed in houses, commerce establishments, industry, with the goal to minimize the loss in transmission, for being installed at the same consumption place. This work presents a FPGA device controller of a four transistor flyback inverter for maximum power point in photovoltaic systems. Despite this system has low power it contributes to search simple and low cost alternatives for generating of electrical power in a decentralized manner, which does not use battery banks connected parallel to network of energy near to consumers. / Geração de energia elétrica a partir de painéis fotovoltaicos vem sendo cada vez mais utilizada, não somente em sistemas fotovoltaicos de grande porte, como também em pequenos sistemas conectados a rede CA. Interligada paralelamente aos grandes geradores da concessionária de energia de forma descentralizada em sistemas de pequeno porte e baixas potências, instalados em residências, estabelecimentos comerciais, indústria, com o objetivo de minimizar perdas por transmissão por estarem instalados nos próprios locais. Este trabalho apresenta um controle num dispositivo FPGA de um inversor flyback a quatro transistores para máxima potência em sistemas fotovoltaicos. Apesar da baixa potência este contribui para a busca de alternativas simples e de baixo custo para geração de energia elétrica de forma descentralizada, não utilizando bancos de bateria conectados paralelamente a rede de energia próxima aos consumidores. / Mestre em Ciências