A Power-Rating Model for Crystalline Silicon PV Modules

A model for the performance of arbitrary crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules is proposed. The model represents the output power of the module as a function of module temperature and in-plane irradiance, with a number of coefficients to be determined by fitting to measured performance data from indoor or outdoor measurements. The model has been validated using data from three different modules characterised through extensive measurements in outdoor climates over several seasons. The model was then applied to indoor measurement data for 18 different PV modules to investigate the variability in modelled output from different module types. It was found that for a Central European climate the modelled output of the 18 modules varies with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.22%, but that the between-module variation is higher at low irradiance (SD of 3.8%). The variability between modules of different type is thus smaller than the uncertainty normally found in the total solar irradiation per year for a given site. The model can therefore be used for generalized estimates of PV performance with only a relatively small impact on the overall uncertainty of such estimates resulting from different module types.

HULD Thomas;  FRIESEN Gabi;  SKOCZEK Artur;  KENNY Robert;  SAMPLE Tony;  FIELD Michael;  DUNLOP Ewan; 

2011-11-23

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

JRC55706

0927-0248,   

www.elsevier.com/locate/solmat,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC55706,   

10.1016/j.solmat.2011.07.026,