Comparison of energy production and performance from flat-plate photovoltaic module technologies deployed at fixed tilt

Performance data for 14 photovoltaic modules deployed at fixed latitude tilt in the field are presented and compared. Module performance is monitored continuously for optimum power characteristics. Flat-plate module technologies representative of crystalline, amorphous, and polycrystalline silicon, and cadmium telluride and copper indium diselenide, are scrutinized for energy production, effective efficiency and performance ratio (PR)-ratio of effective to reference efficiency. Most performance ratios exhibit seasonal fluctuations largely correlated to air or module temperatures, varying between 80% and 100%. These ratios tend toward larger values during winter and vise versa, except for amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride modules. In a-Si modules, the situation appears reversed: better PRs are obtained during late summer. The effective efficiency, PR, and average daily and yearly energy production are analyzed and quantified.