Reduction of PID in Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Installations Through Enhanced Grounding Using Hydrogel-Graphite Filler

Murodov, Muzaffar; Baraishuk, Siarhei; Berkinov, Murodjon

doi:10.25673/123168

Proceedings of International Conference on Applied Innovation in IT · 2025/12/22 · Vol. 13 · Issue 5 · pp. 1265–1269

Reduction of PID in Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Installations Through Enhanced Grounding Using Hydrogel-Graphite Filler

Muzaffar Murodov, Siarhei Baraishuk, Murodjon Nabiev and Elmurod Berkinov

📄 Download PDF DOI: 10.25673/123168

Abstract

Potential induced degradation (PID) can reduce photovoltaic (PV) plant output by up to 30 % within a single year, primarily due to voltage driven ion migration and leakage currents. This study proposes a cost effective mitigation strategy that couples deep, vertical composite electrodes with a hydrogel-graphite backfill (GGG mix) [2]. The backfill reduces soil resistivity, stabilizes seasonal fluctuations, and limits the module-ground potential difference. The experimental photovoltaic station with a capacity of 30 kW (located on the territory of the Namangan State Technical University of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which is dry and has a soil consisting of a mixture of sand, stone and soil, the characteristics are the same as in the semi-desert) was equipped with three grounding configurations. Over 52 weeks, the GGG mix system lowered ground resistance by 45 % and cut the annual PID power loss index from 6.5 % to 1.8 %. Modelling confirmed an equivalent electrode diameter almost eighty times larger than a conventional 12 mm rod. Economic analysis indicated a 20 % reduction in installation cost relative to pre drilled electrodes. The proposed method therefore offers a practical pathway to PID resilient PV deployment in high resistivity soils.

Keywords

PID Grounding Hydrogel Graphite Photovoltaic Soil Resistivity Deep Electrode.

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