Why do we need a performance guarantee for a large photovoltaic system?

Documentation of the energy yield of a large photovoltaic (PV) system over a substantial period can be useful to measure a performance guarantee, as an assessment of the health of the system, for verification of a performance model to then be applied to a new system, or for a variety of other purposes.

How do you test a photovoltaic system?

The power generation of a photovoltaic (PV) system may be documented by a capacity test [1, 2] that quantifies the power output of the system at set conditions, such as an irradiance of 1000 W/m2, an ambient temperature of 20°C, and a wind speed of 1 m/s. A longer test must be used to verify the system performance under a range of conditions.

Does a photovoltaic panel perform better on a white soil?

Results show that the photovoltaic panel performs better when it is inclined and placed on a white soil. A 3D CFD model describing the performance of this solar system is then developed and a good agreement between the numerical results and experimental data is found.

What is the IEA photovoltaic power systems programme?

The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS) is one of the TCP’s within the IEA and was established in 1993. The mission of the programme is to “enhance the international collaborative efforts which facilitate the role of photovoltaic solar energy as a cornerstone in the transition to sustainable energy systems.”

What are the performance ratings of PV modules?

Performance ratings of PV modules are measured under standard test conditions (STC) of 1,000 W/m2 of sunlight and 25°C cell temperature. In practice, however, the intensity of sunlight is usually less than 1,000 W/m2, and the cell temperature is typically hotter than 25°C.

Which PV systems are excluded from the second evaluation?

The second evaluation considers 13 PV systems while excluding NREL3, NREL4, and US DOE systems luemkoy, lwcb907, wca0c5m and z0aygry. The latter two systems were ex-cluded because of the detected data shift in the power output, which can be seen in the power heatmap (Figure 8).