Computer simulation tools used to predict the energy production of photovoltaic systems are needed in order to make informed economic decisions. These tools require input parameters that characterize module performance under various operational and environmental conditions. Depending upon the complexity of the simulation model, the required input parameters can vary from the limited information found on labels affixed to photovoltaic modules to an extensive set of parameters. The required input parameters are normally obtained indoors using a solar simulator or flash tester, or measured outdoors under natural sunlight. This paper compares measured performance parameters for three photovoltaic modules tested outdoors at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). Two of the three modules were custom fabricated using monocrystalline and silicon film cells. The third, a commercially available module, utilized triple-junction amorphous silicon cells. The resulting data allow a comparison to be made between performance parameters measured at two laboratories with differing geographical locations and apparatus. This paper describes the apparatus used to collect the experimental data, test procedures utilized, and resulting performance parameters for each of the three modules. Using a computer simulation model, the impact that differences in measured parameters have on predicted energy production is quantified. Data presented for each module includes power output at standard rating conditions and the influence of incident angle, air mass, and module temperature on each module’s electrical performance. Measurements from the two laboratories are in excellent agreement. The power at standard rating conditions is within 1% for all three modules. Although the magnitude of the individual temperature coefficients varied as much as 17% between the two laboratories, the impact on predicted performance at various temperature levels was minimal, less than 2%. The influence of air mass on the performance of the three modules measured at the laboratories was in excellent agreement. The largest difference in measured results between the two laboratories was noted in the response of the modules to incident angles that exceed .
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e-mail: Hunter.Fanney@nist.gov
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Research Papers
Comparison of Photovoltaic Module Performance Measurements
A. Hunter Fanney,
e-mail: Hunter.Fanney@nist.gov
A. Hunter Fanney
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632
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Mark W. Davis,
Mark W. Davis
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632
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Brian P. Dougherty,
Brian P. Dougherty
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632
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David L. King,
David L. King
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033
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William E. Boyson,
William E. Boyson
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033
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Jay A. Kratochvil
Jay A. Kratochvil
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033
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A. Hunter Fanney
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632e-mail: Hunter.Fanney@nist.gov
Mark W. Davis
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632
Brian P. Dougherty
National Institute of Standards and Technology
, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8632
David L. King
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033
William E. Boyson
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033
Jay A. Kratochvil
Sandia National Laboratories
, PO Box 5800, MS 1033, Albuquerque, NM 87185-1033J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2006, 128(2): 152-159 (8 pages)
Published Online: January 5, 2006
Article history
Received:
April 27, 2005
Revised:
January 5, 2006
Citation
Fanney, A. H., Davis, M. W., Dougherty, B. P., King, D. L., Boyson, W. E., and Kratochvil, J. A. (January 5, 2006). "Comparison of Photovoltaic Module Performance Measurements." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. May 2006; 128(2): 152–159. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2192559
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