Photovoltaic module power rating per IEC 61853-1: A study under natural sunlight

Karen Paghasian, Govinda Samy TamizhMani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Power rating of photovoltaic modules at seven irradiance and four temperature matrix levels of IEC 61853-1 standard is one of the most important requirements to accurately predict energy production of photovoltaic modules at different climatic conditions. Actual outdoor measurements do not necessarily yield exact values as outlined by the power rating matrix so translation of these values is necessary. The primary objective of this work is to validate, based on outdoor measurements, the translation procedures as delineated in IEC 60891 standard and the bilinear interpolation method developed by NREL. These translation procedures were applied for four different module technologies: Mono-Si, a-Si, CdTe, and CIGS. To obtain data at various irradiance levels, different mesh screens with varying light transmittance were used with known transmittance values. To obtain data at various temperatures, the test module was pre-cooled in an air-conditioned wooden cabinet or an environmental chamber and then a series of current-voltage measurements were carried out under sunlight while the module warmed up naturally. To obtain data at temperatures higher than 45°C, the test module's backsheet was covered with a thermal insulator. The device linearity of all the four modules was determined using IEC 60904-10 procedure. An extensive validation analysis of the four translation procedures indicates that all the four procedures are remarkably accurate within an average error of 3% and RMSE of 4.5%.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProgram - 37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Pages2322-2327
Number of pages6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011 - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: Jun 19 2011Jun 24 2011

Publication series

NameConference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
ISSN (Print)0160-8371

Other

Other37th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period6/19/116/24/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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