Premium
A side‐by‐side comparison of CPV module and system performance
Author(s) -
Muller Matthew,
Marion Bill,
Kurtz Sarah,
Ghosal Kanchan,
Burroughs Scott,
Libby Cara,
Enbar Nadav
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.2736
Subject(s) - aperture (computer memory) , root mean square , concentrator , photovoltaic system , focus (optics) , mathematics , computer science , optics , statistics , physics , electrical engineering , engineering , acoustics
A side‐by‐side comparison is made between concentrator photovoltaic module and system direct current aperture efficiency data with a focus on quantifying system performance losses. The individual losses measured/calculated, when combined, are in good agreement with the total loss seen between the module and the system. Results indicate that for the given test period, the largest individual loss of 3.7% relative is due to the baseline performance difference between the individual module and the average for the 200 modules in the system. A basic empirical model is derived based on module spectral performance data and the tabulated losses between the module and the system. The model predicts instantaneous system direct current aperture efficiency with a root mean square error of 2.3% relative. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.