A comparison of the performance of different PV module types in temperate climates

The performances of five different types of photovoltaic modules have been measured for more than a year in the temperate climate of Perth, Western Australia. Perth averages over 5.4 peak sun hours (PSH) each day, from less than 3 in the winter months to over 8 at the height of summer. The average s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar energy 2004, Vol.76 (1), p.285-294
Main Authors: Carr, A.J, Pryor, T.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
a-Si
Applied sciences
CIS
Climate
Energy
Equipments, installations and applications
Exact sciences and technology
Maximum power point trackers
Natural energy
Outdoor exposure tests
p-Si
Performance ratio
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic conversion
Silicon wafers
Solar energy
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Summary:The performances of five different types of photovoltaic modules have been measured for more than a year in the temperate climate of Perth, Western Australia. Perth averages over 5.4 peak sun hours (PSH) each day, from less than 3 in the winter months to over 8 at the height of summer. The average sun-up temperatures range between 16.5 °C and 28 °C. The types of modules examined in this study are: crystalline silicon (c-Si), laser grooved buried contact (LGBC) c-Si, polycrystalline silicon (p-Si), triple junction amorphous silicon (3j a-Si) and copper indium diselenide (CIS). Using a purpose built outdoor monitoring facility the energy production under actual operating conditions has been measured for each module. The annual and monthly performance ratios (PRs) have been calculated for the different modules and a comparison is presented here. The I– V characteristics and maximum power at standard test conditions have been measured for each module prior to, and at regular intervals, during outdoor exposure. These values are compared to the manufacturers’ values, and monitored over time for the modules operated in the field.
ISSN:0038-092X
1471-1257
DOI:10.1016/j.solener.2003.07.026