Diotec Products
for Solar Modules
Tailor-made “Solar Diodes” for Bypass Operation
„Low Vf“ Bipolar Diodes
P1200, F1200, FT2000
Reverse Voltage up to 400 V
= more rugged against voltage spikes
Lower leakage current than Schottky diodes
= reduced losses in normal mode of operation
Forward losses smaller than for standard rectifiers
= acceptable losses in bypass mode
Schottky Diodes
80SQ05, SB12xx, SBT10xx, SBCT20xx, SK10xx
Low Forward Voltage Drop
= reduced losses in bypass mode
Lower Leakage current than “ultra low Vf“ Schottky’s
= acceptable losses in normal mode of operation
Diotec Semiconductor AG 79423 Heitersheim Tel.: +49-7634-5266-0 [email protected]
Kreuzmattenstr. 4 Germany Fax: +49-7634-5266-61 www.diotec.com
Version 2006-06-22
Function of Bypass Diodes
Normal Mode Bypass Mode
(module partly shaded)
During construction of solar modules, single cells are switched in series to so called “strings” to achieve
higher system voltages, see left picture above.
If one or more cells are shaded (e. g. by branches of trees, antennas, etc), the affected solar cells are no
more acting like a current source, but as power consumers. Non-shaded cells are delivering further
current through them, generating high power losses. “Hot spots” may occur and even cell breakdowns.
To avoid this problem bypass diodes are switched parallel to every single or some combined cells,
bypassing current flow across the darkened strings, right picture above.
As every semiconductor device, also bypass diodes have got a certain leakage current, which in normal
mode of operation reduces the current supplied by the cells and therefore decreases efficiency of the
solar module (see red turn-down arrows in the picture above). Therefore leakage current especially at
higher temperatures (full sun irradiation!) should be as low as possible. Compared to that, partly shading
of modules is only an extreme operation mode which should be completely avoided or at least occurs
only during short time periods. For this mode of operation,l low forward losses are desirable. Finally, the
bypass diode has to be rugged against overvoltage spikes. Such spikes may occur during assembly of
the system, if e. g. current conducting cables are interrupted, or during operation, caused by lightning etc.
Diotec Products for Solar Modules
www.diotec.com 2006-06-22
Standards about Bypass Diode Operation
Some standard drafts (e. g. IEC 61730-2, IEC 61215) describe a bypass diode test, applying the module
short circuit current for one hour, at an ambient temperature of 75°C. At this test, the junction
temperature of the diode has to stay below the maximum admissible value. An estimation of the junction
temperature can be done as follows:
Tj = TL/C + RthL/C * Vf * ISC
Tj = junction temperature of the diode, maximum admissible value see datasheet
TL/C = temperature of contact leads (L) resp. cooling fin of case (C)
RthL/C = thermal resistance junction – contact lead (L) resp. cooling fin of case (C)
Vf = forward voltage drop across diode
ISC = module short circuit current
To comply with the test, solar diodes by Diotec are offering several advantages:
Vf
Reduced power losses inside the diode by reduced forward voltage drop Vf. Possible through „Low Vf“-
bipolar diodes as well as Schottky diodes.
Tj
Specification of higher admissible junction temperature Tj (up to 180 resp. 200°C!). The maximum
admissible junction temperature is normally based on a DC load of 80% of the maximum reverse
repetitive voltage VRRM. If the actual occuring reverse voltage is much below this value, as typical for solar
modules, a higher Tj can be specified. See parameters in the Diotec datasheets.
RthL/C
At higher currents, the junction temperature can be reduced by suitable cooling measures. Ideally suited
in this case are package outlines like TO-220 und D2PAK, having low thermal resistance junction to case.
Diotec Products for Solar Modules
www.diotec.com 2006-06-22
Standard Rectifier
+ Reverse voltage up to 1200 V
+ Rugged against over voltage
+ Low cost, since standard devices
+ Nominal current up to 10 Amp
+ Low leakage current, therefore reduced losses in normal mode of operation
- Higher forward voltage drop (typ. 1.0 Volt), therefore higher losses in bypass operation
Types e. g.
BY550, P600, P1000
„Low Vf“ Rectifier
“Low Vf” rectifier by Diotec are bipolar diodes, having also at higher temperatures a low leakage current.
By optimizing the Si-chip it was possible to reduce forward losses compared to standard rectifiers by
more than 10%, having positive impact on forward losses.
+ Reverse voltage up to 400 V
+ Rugged against over voltage
+ Nominal current up to 20 Amp
+ Reduced forward voltage drop (typ. 0.8 to 0.9 V), therefore lower losses/lower temperature in bypass
operation
+ Low leakage current, therefore reduced losses in normal mode of operation
Types e. g.
P1200, F1200, FT2000
Schottky Rectifier
+ Reverse voltage up to 100 V
+ Nominal current up to 20 Amp
+ Low forward voltage drop (typ. 0.5 bis 0.7 Volt), therefore low losses/low temperature in bypass
operation
- Higher leakage current, therefore higher losses in normal mode of operation
Types e. g.
SB5.., SB8.., 80SQ05, SB12.., SBT10.., SBCT20..
SK5.., SK8.., SK10..PM 1), SK10..D2 L118 1), SK20...CD2
From some manufacturers offered “ultra low Vf” Schottky diodes have beside a very high hot leakage current also a lower
maximum admissible junction temperature, and are therefore less suited for bypass operations.
Datasheets of all mentioned products can be found at www.diotec.com – Products – Search Products.
1
) Availability on request
Diotec Products for Solar Modules
www.diotec.com 2006-06-22
Customer specific solutions
Normally bypass diodes can be found within the connection box of the solar module. On request Diotec
delivers the leads bended for direct insertion into the connectors, thus saving time and effort during
insertion at only small additional costs. Also possible is soldering or welding of contact sheets, connectors
etc to the leads for direct connection of the module or wiring.
Further Products
Following parts from Diotec’s product range are suitable for solar applications, of course all produced by
Plasma-EPOS process:
Rectifier cells AG3-, AG6- and AG12-Series: 3, 6, 12 A, 50 to 1000 V, within only 2.3 mm flat
sandwich package
Twin rectifiers D30VC- and D60VC-Series: center tapped configuration, 30 resp 60 A, 200 to
1200 V, for decoupling of two DC sources, see below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for further questions: Tel. +49 (0)7634-5266-0 or [email protected] .
Diotec – situated in the SolarRegion Upper Rhine – near Freiburg/Germany.
Diotec Products for Solar Modules
www.diotec.com 2006-06-22
