Estimating PV performance over large geographical regions

Author

Huld, Thomas A. ; Suri, Manan ; Kenny, Robert P. ; Dunlop, E.D.

Author_Institution

Renewable Energies Unit, DG Joint Res. Center, Ispra, Italy

fYear

2005

Firstpage

1679

Lastpage

1682

Abstract

We present a method for estimating the performance of PV modules over large geographical regions. It uses solar radiation and temperature geospatial data that are modeled in a geographical information system. We employ a relation for the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon cells at varying irradiance and temperature to obtain values for the loss of efficiency at any location. The method has been applied to the European subcontinent. Results indicate that the relative efficiency of crystalline Si modules varies across Europe with values ranging from 87 to 97% of the conversion efficiency at STC (highest in the North and in mountainous areas).

Keywords

geographic information systems; solar cells; solar radiation; conversion efficiency; crystalline silicon cells; geographical information system; geographical regions; large geographical regions; photovoltaic performance; solar radiation; temperature geospatial data; Appraisal; Blades; Crystallization; Europe; Information systems; Meteorology; Silicon; Solar radiation; Temperature; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2005. Conference Record of the Thirty-first IEEE

ISSN

0160-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8707-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2005.1488470

Filename

1488470