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Standard or local solar spectrum? Implications for solar technologies studies in the Atacama desert

Author

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  • Marzo, Aitor
  • Ferrada, Pablo
  • Beiza, Felipe
  • Besson, Pierre
  • Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín
  • Ballestrín, Jesús
  • Román, Roberto
  • Portillo, Carlos
  • Escobar, Rodrigo
  • Fuentealba, Edward

Abstract

Knowledge of the solar spectrum is essential for the design and study of numerous technologies. Due to the area considered, the harsh conditions and the difficulty for accessing to some zones, information and measurement on local parameters and spectral resource are scarce. This fact, along with the special atmospheric conditions prevailing in Atacama Desert, has led to increasing interest on the part of the solar industry to ascertain the spectral variation respect to that of other places around the world. Considering the standard spectrum for a typical air mass as 1.5, the evaluation of PV module behaviour or device calibration under real conditions can generate a source of uncertainty where spectra may differ. This preliminary paper aims to study the influence of using the standard or local spectra in photovoltaic technologies in Atacama Desert, in order to highlight the necessity for a long-term ground-based measurement campaign. For that purpose, a first approach to the spatio-temporal average of solar spectrum in the Atacama Desert from satellite databases is estimated. Then, local spectra are compared against the Reference Spectra in order to show the differences in studies on solar energy applications. Long-term satellite database information is used to average the atmospheric parameters, such as Aerosol Optical Depth, Ozone, Precipitable Water Vapour, Albedo and Relative Humidity, for the entire Atacama Desert area and is then used to obtain the mean Global tilted Irradiance and Direct plus Circumsolar Irradiance solar spectrum. Finally, to study the influence that the shape of the local spectrum has on the performance of the different solar technologies, the photo-current density of two different solar cell types were studied under Atacama and standard conditions. The results indicate that there are considerable differences with the ASTM G173-03 reference spectra for short wavelengths, especially in the UV spectral range, which is 55% points higher than the reference, which influences in the performance of the solar technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Marzo, Aitor & Ferrada, Pablo & Beiza, Felipe & Besson, Pierre & Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín & Ballestrín, Jesús & Román, Roberto & Portillo, Carlos & Escobar, Rodrigo & Fuentealba, Edward, 2018. "Standard or local solar spectrum? Implications for solar technologies studies in the Atacama desert," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 871-882.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:127:y:2018:i:c:p:871-882
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.05.039
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    1. Choi, Kelvin, Tsz Hei & Brindley, Helen & Ekins-Daukes, N. & Escobar, Rodrigo, 2021. "Developing automated methods to estimate spectrally resolved direct normal irradiance for solar energy applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1070-1086.
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    4. Polo, Jesús & Alonso-Abella, Miguel & Martín-Chivelet, Nuria & Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín & López, Gabriel & Marzo, Aitor & Nofuentes, Gustavo & Vela-Barrionuevo, Nieves, 2020. "Typical Meteorological Year methodologies applied to solar spectral irradiance for PV applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    5. Salmon, Aloïs & Marzo, Aitor & Polo, Jesús & Ballestrín, Jesús & Carra, Elena & Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín, 2022. "World map of low-layer atmospheric extinction values for solar power tower plants projects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 876-888.
    6. Li, Zhenpeng & Ma, Tao, 2022. "Theoretic efficiency limit and design criteria of solar photovoltaics with high visual perceptibility," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    7. González-Rodríguez, Lisdelys & Cabrera-Reina, Alejandro & Rosas, Jorge & Volke, Matías & Marzo, Aitor, 2024. "Characterization of solar-derivate ultraviolet radiation for water solar treatment applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    8. Arsenio Barbón & Luis Bayón & Guzmán Díaz & Carlos A. Silva, 2022. "Investigation of the Effect of Albedo in Photovoltaic Systems for Urban Applications: Case Study for Spain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-20, October.
    9. Emigdio Chavez-Angel & Alejandro Castro-Alvarez & Nicolas Sapunar & Francisco Henríquez & Javier Saavedra & Sebastián Rodríguez & Iván Cornejo & Lindley Maxwell, 2023. "Exploring the Potential of Green Hydrogen Production and Application in the Antofagasta Region of Chile," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-12, June.
    10. Douglas Olivares & Pablo Ferrada & Jonathan Bijman & Sebastián Rodríguez & Mauricio Trigo-González & Aitor Marzo & Jorge Rabanal-Arabach & Joaquín Alonso-Montesinos & Francisco Javier Batlles & Edward, 2020. "Determination of the Soiling Impact on Photovoltaic Modules at the Coastal Area of the Atacama Desert," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    11. Bayo-Besteiro, S. & de la Torre, L. & Costoya, X. & Gómez-Gesteira, M. & Pérez-Alarcón, A. & deCastro, M. & Añel, J.A., 2023. "Photovoltaic power resource at the Atacama Desert under climate change," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
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