Energy Yield of Photovoltaic Systems | Solar Power http://www.greenrhinoenergy.com/solar/technologies/pv_energy_yield.

php

Home Clean Energy Climate Change Finance Articles Consulting Services

Why take Action? Carbon Management Carbon Markets

Clean Energy » Renewables » Solar Energy » Technologies

Energy Yield and Performance Ratio of Photovoltaic Systems

Solar Energy Home
Solar Radiation For investors and operators alike, there are two fundamental questions:
Technologies 1. How much electricity does the system generate?
Tech Overview 2. How well does the system perform?
PV Principles
Energy of incoming light
Concentrating PV
The yearly sum of global irradiation, h, that hits the module is specific to the location and should be obtained from datab
PV Modules Overview
- in the first instance - from an irradiance map. It is measured in [kWh/m2]. In Berlin, for instance, it is h ~ 1,200 kWh/m
PV Electronics
Solar Glass & Mirrors Target Yield
PV Mounting & Tracking The target yield is the theoretical annual energy production (on the DC side of the module), only taking into account eh en
PV Systems light and the module's nominal efficiency.
PV Energy Yield
Performance Ratio
PV System Sizing
The Performance Ratio is the ratio between actual yield (i.e. annual production of electricity delivered at AC) and the targ
PV Manufacturing
PV Value Chain
CST Technologies
CST Systems The performance ratio, often called "Quality Factor", is independent from the irradiation and therefore useful to compare
CST Energy Yield account all pre-conversion losses, inverter losses, thermal losses and conduction losses. It is useful to measure the perf
throughout the operation of the system, as a deterioation could help pinpoint causes of yield losses.
Solar Power Market
Solar Power Industry
Energy Output per Area
Solar Finance The energy, E, delivered by a system with area A can be estimated from:

Related Links
Renewable Energy

The pre-conversion efficiency reflects the losses incurred before the beam hits the actual semiconductor material, cause
and reflection off the glass. The system efficiency reflects electrical losses caused by wiring, inverter and transformer.Th
defined by a nominal efficiency and relative efficiency as shown on previous page.

Energy per Rated Power

Sometimes, the energy yield is expressed in terms of the peak power of the module, which is independent from the area
H0= 1,000 W/m2):

This is a very useful ratio, since the energy yield E is a measure of the earnings potential while the peak power reflects th
Note that the peak power in the above formula is the module's peak power, not the system's installed capacity, which is P

1 of 3 3/23/2011 3:24 AM
Energy Yield of Photovoltaic Systems | Solar Power http://www.greenrhinoenergy.com/solar/technologies/pv_energy_yield.php

Energy Losses

Sometimes it is more intuitive to think in terms of energy losses that occur at every step of the way rather than componen
concepts are the same, as losses = 1 - efficiency, both expressed in percentage terms.

Starting with the intensity of the incoming light (i.e. the energy that is actually available to the system), there are three majo
losses:

1. Pre-photovoltaic losses: Attenuation of the incoming light though shading, dirt, snow and reflection before i
material. In concentrating pv systems, it also includes losses from concentration devices.
2. Module and thermal losses: Reflecting the efficiency and temperature dependance of the solar module
3. System losses: Reflecting losses in the electrical components including wiring, inverters and transformers.

Tolerance of Consider that the module does not deliver the power as stated in the data she
rated power provide a tolerance, often up to 5%.

Pre-Module Shadows may be caused by trees, chimneys etc. Depending on the stringing
Shadows
Losses shading may have a significant effect.

Losses due to dirt up to 4% in temperate regions with some frequent rain. Up

Dirt
regions with only seasonal rain and dust.

2 of 3 3/23/2011 3:24 AM
Energy Yield of Photovoltaic Systems | Solar Power http://www.greenrhinoenergy.com/solar/technologies/pv_energy_yield.php

Snow Dependant on location and maintenance effort.

Reflection losses increase with the angle of incidence. Also, this effect is les
Reflection
locations with a large proportion of diffuse light, i.e. clouds.

Conversion The nominal efficiency is given by the manufacturer for standard conditions.

Module Losses With increasing temperatures, conversion losses increase. These losses dep
Thermal losses (i.e. location), mounting method (glass, thermal properties of materials), and w
rough estimate is ~8%

Wiring Any cables have some resistance and therefore more losses.

MPP Ability of the MPP tracker to consistently find the maximum power point.
System Losses
Inverter Inverter efficiency
~ 14% If the inverter is undersized, power is clipped for high intensity light. If it is o
Mis-sized inverter
efficiency will be too low for low intensity light.

Transformer Transformer losses in case electricity has to be connected to a high-voltage

Operation &
Downtime Downtime for maintenance is usually very low for photovoltaic systems.
Maintenance

Join us << previous | next >>

About | Terms of Use | Sitemap | Contact Us

3 of 3 3/23/2011 3:24 AM