Energy Rating of PV Modules Based on PVGIS Irradiance and Temperature Database

A method for the Energy Rating of PV modules based on performance surfaces uses the module temperature and incident irradiance as independent variables which has been successful in prediction of energy production for crystalline Si (c-Si) modules when used with locally obtained meteorological data[1]. However, to be practical an Energy Rating method must be able to perform satisfactorily using synthesized meteorological data, such as those that are modeled in the geographical information system (PVGIS)[2]. Here the performance of c-Si PV modules is predicted over large geographical regions based on solar radiation and temperature geospatial data and a relation for the conversion efficiency of c-Si PV modules at varying conditions. In order to evaluate the accuracy of these predictions, a study has been made of the algorithm used to calculate daily variations of both irradiance and temperature from the monthly means contained in the geographical information system. The overall prediction accuracy of better than 1 % over periods up to one year leads us to believe that the method is sufficiently accurate for practical PV performance prediction. The individual monthly variations may often be larger however, so it is expected that one year period would be the minimum useful prediction period to be supported at this point in the development of the method. This is not expected to be a limitation given that energy production over a module lifetime of up to 30 years is needed.

KENNY Robert;  HULD Thomas;  IGLESIAS Susana; 

2006-11-28

WIP-Renewable Energies

JRC32716

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC32716,