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Estimating PV Module Performance over Large Geographical Regions: The Role of Irradiance, Air Temperature, Wind Speed and Solar Spectrum

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  • Thomas Huld

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Via Fermi 2749, Ispra I-21027, Italy)

  • Ana M. Gracia Amillo

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Via Fermi 2749, Ispra I-21027, Italy)

Abstract

We present a study of how photovoltaic (PV) module performance varies on continental scale. Mathematical models have been used to take into account shallow-angle reflectivity, spectral sensitivity, dependence of module efficiency on irradiance and module temperature as well as how the module temperature depends on irradiance, ambient temperature and wind speed. Spectrally resolved irradiance data retrieved from satellite images are combined with temperature and wind speed data from global computational weather forecast data to produce maps of PV performance for Eurasia and Africa. Results show that module reflectivity causes a fairly small drop of 2\%–4\% in PV performance. Spectral effects may modify the performance by up to \(\pm 6\)\%, depending on location and module type. The strongest effect is seen in the dependence on irradiance and module temperature, which may range from \(-\)20\% to +5\% at different locations.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Huld & Ana M. Gracia Amillo, 2015. "Estimating PV Module Performance over Large Geographical Regions: The Role of Irradiance, Air Temperature, Wind Speed and Solar Spectrum," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:6:p:5159-5181:d:50569
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ana Maria Gracia Amillo & Thomas Huld & Paraskevi Vourlioti & Richard Müller & Matthew Norton, 2015. "Application of Satellite-Based Spectrally-Resolved Solar Radiation Data to PV Performance Studies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-34, April.
    2. Alonso-Abella, M. & Chenlo, F. & Nofuentes, G. & Torres-Ramírez, M., 2014. "Analysis of spectral effects on the energy yield of different PV (photovoltaic) technologies: The case of four specific sites," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 435-443.
    3. Piliougine, Michel & Elizondo, David & Mora-López, Llanos & Sidrach-de-Cardona, Mariano, 2013. "Multilayer perceptron applied to the estimation of the influence of the solar spectral distribution on thin-film photovoltaic modules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 610-617.
    4. Thomas Huld & Irene Pinedo Pascua, 2015. "Spatial Downscaling of 2-Meter Air Temperature Using Operational Forecast Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-31, March.
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