Outdoor performance analyses of photovoltaic modules can be advantageous compared to indoor investigations, as they take into account the influences of natural test conditions on the modules. However, such outdoor performance assessments usually suffer from poor accuracies due to undefined test conditions for the modules. This paper reports on a comprehensive concept for improved outdoor analysis which results in performance data with indoor laboratory precision. The approach delivers current-voltage characteristics for even more test conditions than required by the standard IEC 61853-1. Hence, curves of modules’ electrical parameters above irradiance can be deduced for any temperatures. The concept allows precise determination of temperature coefficients for user-defined irradiances taking into account outdoor effects like light-soaking or light-induced degradation. The calibration and measurement uncertainty of the presented outdoor analysis method is evaluated quantitatively. For the measurements an advanced outdoor set-up was used.
Outdoor-I-U-Messungen an Photovoltaik- (PV) - Modulen haben den Vorteil, dass Effekte wie „light soaking“ oder „light-induced degradation“ unter natürlichen Bedingungen untersucht werden können. Solche Outdoor-Analysen können unter Anwendung des Selbstreferenzierungsalgorithmus (SRA) die Zuverlässigkeit von Indoor-Flasher-Messungen erreichen. Dieses neue Konzept liefert I-UEigenschaften für wesentlich mehr Testbedingungen als vom Standard IEC 61853 gefordert und so können Schwachlichtkurven aller relevanten elektrischen I-U-Parameter für bestimmte Temperaturen erzeugt werden. Wir berichten über experimentelle Ergebnisse einer 6-tägigen Outdoor-Messkampagne an Dünnschicht-PV-Modulen. Wir evaluieren darüber hinaus die Möglichkeiten, Temperaturkoeffizienten, STC- und NOCT-Daten zu bestimmen und I-U-Kennlinien als Basis für Fitting-Analysen abzuleiten. Abschließend wird die Genauigkeit der neuen Outdoor-Methode untersucht.
Outdoor or just on site analyzes of photovoltaic modules can offer some advantages in comparison to indoor Lab stud-ies. In this way the electrical performance is monitored and logged under natural operating conditions in full range of irradiation and temperature. The entirety of monitored IV data allows deriving low-light characteristics of electric parameters, temperature coefficients and root cause analysis for possible degradation. We apply so-called self-reference algorithm in order to increase the accuracy of analysis. The improved precision is due to application of effective acting irradiation and effective temperature instead of externally measured data. Effective irradiation is determined in self-referencing scheme: the short circuit current of the module is assigned to the irradiation.
Outdoor or just on site analyzes of photovoltaic modules can offer some advantages in comparison to indoor Lab studies. In this way the electrical performance is monitored and logged under natural operating conditions in full range of irradiation and temperature. The entirety of monitored IV data allows deriving low-light characteristics of electric parameters, temperature coefficients and root cause analysis for possible degradation. We apply so-called self-reference algorithm in order to increase the accuracy of analysis. The improved precision is due to application of effective acting irradiation and effective temperature instead of externally measured data. Effective irradiation is determined in self-referencing scheme: the short circuit current of the module is assigned to the irradiation. This assignment has to be calibrated, preferably at standard test conditions for irradiation. In this contribution we demonstrate a process of precise measurement of Isc under clear-sky outdoor conditions and the determination of the short circuit current for STC. The measurement method avoids errors by spectral deviations with respect to AM 1.5G spectrum, by optical reflection losses for high angles of incidence and errors by high albedo impact. In particular we investigate comparatively a CdTe module under outdoor conditions and by means a calibrated indoor Lab flasher.