Reduction of PV Module Temperature Using Thermally Conductive Backsheets
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The integration of power electronics-based interfaces presents challenges due to the absence of detailed models and the high computational complexity. Generic models used in system studies lack accuracy in capturing converter dynamics. This paper proposes a data-driven approach developed from experimental setup data. This approach enhances accuracy in photovoltaic inverter modeling. We used two types of PV inverters in the experiment. The recorded experimental data undergo processing through a machine learning model. Results from the model trained through machine learning is also presented.
Most silicon PV road maps forecast a continued reduction in wafer thickness, despite rapid declines in the primary incentive for doing so -- polysilicon feedstock price. Another common feature of most silicon-technology forecasts is the quest for ever-higher device performance at the lowest possible costs. The authors present data from device-performance and manufacturing- and system-installationcost models to quantitatively establish the incentives for manufacturers to pursue advanced (thin) wafer and (high efficiency) cell technologies, in an age of reduced feedstock prices. This analysis exhaustively considers the value proposition for high lifetime (p-type) silicon materials across the entire c-Si PV supply chain.
Photovoltaic (PV) module and system performance degradation is being measured by periodic flash testing of fielded PV modules at three sites. As of early 2018, results from modules fielded in New Mexico and Colorado are now available. These data indicate that module degradation varies significantly between module types and can also vary between modules of the same model. In addition, degradation rates for some module types appear to vary over time. Great care is made to control for stability and repeatability in the measurements over time, but there is still a +/-0.5% uncertainty in flash test stability. Therefore, it will take several more years for degradation rate results to be known with higher confidence.
In real world operation, low-frequency oscillations associated with plant-level voltage control of inverter-based resources (IBRs) have been a concern of grid operators. Here, this research aims to demonstrate and analyze the effect of plant-level voltage control on system stability and potential interactions among IBRs. The experiment results of a 13.2-kV system interconnected with two IBRs—a 1-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) and a 430-kW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant—are presented. Both 0.5-Hz and 3-Hz oscillations become visible at certain conditions. The phenomenon is further explained by use of a feedback system consisting of the plant-level droop control and the effect of reactive power or var injection on voltage. The main components of the block diagram are obtained via frequency scan measurements. The analysis offers an understanding of the main contributors and other influencing factors of the 3-Hz and 0.5-Hz modes. It also reveals the role of the volt-var droop gain, the low-pass filter time constant, and the system impedance in stability.
In 2014, the IEA PVPS Task 13 added the PVPMC as a formal activity to its technical work plan for 2014-2017. The goal of this activity is to expand the reach of the PVPMC to a broader international audience and help to reduce PV performance modeling uncertainties worldwide. One of the main deliverables of this activity is to host one or more PVPMC workshops outside the US to foster more international participation within this collaborative group. This report reviews the results of the first in a series of these joint IEA PVPS Task 13/PVPMC workshops. The 4th PV Performance Modeling Collaborative Workshop was held in Cologne, Germany at the headquarters of TÜV Rheinland on October 22-23, 2015.
Reducing uncertainty in the prediction and/or verification of photovoltaic (PV) plant output can directly increase the expected return on investment for each party in a contract, likely leading to more favorable terms for the contract, including a possible reduction in interest rates. Note that a reduction of 1% in the interest rate is estimated to reduce the levelized cost of energy by approximately 0.5 cents/kWh. This project developed a capability to provide spectrally resolved solar information from the National Solar Radiation Data Base (NSRDB), effectively providing 20 years of half-hourly data for all of the United States at a 4-km by 4-km spatial resolution. These data are now available freely to users directly through a geographic information system-based Web interface (https://nsrdb.nrel.gov) as well as through an application programming interface. Users of these data can conduct more accurate prefeasibility studies and assess multiple PV technologies. It is expected that widely used models such as PVSyst, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's System Advisor Model (SAM), and PlantPredict, designed by First Solar, will develop the capabilities to use these spectral data.
This report documents the specification and validation of a harmonic modeling approach and model for inverter-based resources like solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters in both the frequency domain and the electro-magnetic transients (EMT) time domain.
Mismatch power losses in photovoltaic (PV) systems can be reduced by the use of distributed power electronics at the module or submodule level. This paper presents an experimentally validated numerical model that can be used to predict power production with distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) down to the cell level. The model allows the investigations of different DMPPT architectures, as well as the impact of conversion efficiencies and power constraints. Results are presented for annual simulations of three representative partial shading scenarios and two scenarios where mismatches are due to aging over a period of 25 years. It is shown that DMPPT solutions that are based on submodule integrated converters offer 6.9-11.1% improvements in annual energy yield relative to a baseline centralized MPPT scenario.
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As the photovoltaic industry has grown, the interest in comparative accelerated testing has also grown. Private test labs offer testing services that apply greater stress than the standard qualification tests as tools for differentiating products and for gaining increased confidence in long-term PV investments. While the value of a single international standard for comparative accelerated testing is widely acknowledged, the development of a consensus is difficult. This paper strives to identify a technical basis for a comparative standard.
We describe and compare two methods for modeling irradiance on the back surface of rack-mounted bifacial PV modules: view factor models and ray-tracing simulations. For each method we formulate one or more models and compare each model with irradiance measurements and short circuit current for a bifacial module mounted a fixed tilt rack with three other similarly sized modules. Our analysis illustrates the computational requirements of the different methods and provides insight into their practical applications. We find a level of consistency among the models which indicates that consistent models may be obtained by parameter calibrations.
This training provides information on how cities and counties can finance solar on their municipal facilities. It also covers procurement pathways for each of the financing options. This training was developed for NREL's City and County PV Training Program.
This report describes the structure and content of an open dataset created for the purpose of testing and validating PV module temperature prediction models and their parameters. The dataset contains the main environmental parameters that affect temperature: irradiance, ambient temperature, wind speed and down-welling infrared radiation, as well as measured back-of-module temperature.
What standard tests are required for commercializing a new PV module technology such as perovskite photovoltaics? This summary document provides answers in the areas of (1) quality assurance for manufacturing, (2) safety and reliability testing, and (3) performance characterization.
Photovoltaic module quality has remained high even as module prices have declined.
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