PVSyst Loss Description - by Filipe Andrade

Losses – PVSyst
This article will treat the detailed losses tab on PVSyst software and explain in
depth each of its functions and functionalities, starting from how to access it, to
how to insert and specify each system loss, and also its influence on the result,
so that the simulations are closer to reality.
On the structuring of a PV Solar project, it is necessary a study of the system

behavior through the exercise of mathematical models and techniques, usually
with softwares. These methods are applied so that we can obtain the closest
possible knowledge of the real performance of the project, verifying its feasibility
and return of investment.
PVSyst is a simulation tool used for dimensioning photovoltaic plants. This is the
most used tool in the world, because besides being on the market for almost three
decades, it has a wide variety of analysis options that can help undergraduates,
postgraduates, engineers and even researchers, all this in a simple platform with
easy usability and fast learning curve.
Within the platform an important concept is the losses of PV systems, which is,
like any other, subject to losses too. These losses occur for any motive, for
example: module soiling, ohmic losses, positioning losses, module quality,
generations thermal parameters, Etc. These parameters are inserted at Detailed
Losses.
Below we will see the breakdown of PVSyst platform losses, explaining their
meaning and use.
Detailed losses
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Thermal parameters
After clicking the initial page of the “Detailed losses” will open, showing firstly the
“Thermal Parameters” to be configured, according to figure below:
The “Thermal Parameters” section defines the temperature characteristics of PV

systems, these characteristics are used to define the temperature of the cell’s PV
operations, which will bring us to the expected value of the loss for working in
temperature conditions outside the STC.
The value of the working temperature of the PV cell is obtained through the
formula: Tcell=Tamb+1/U·(Alfa·Ginc·(1-Efic)):
• Tamb: Is the ambient temperature.

• U: Thermal loss factor.
• Ginc: Is the irradiance of the PV module.
• Efic: Is the photovoltaic efficiency (relative to the module area), that is, the
energy removed from the module. When possible, the PV efficiency is
calculated according to the module's operating conditions.

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The thermal behavior of the field - which influences the electrical performance -
is determined by an energy balance between ambient temperature and cell
heating due to incident irradiation.
Characteristics like "Free mounted modules with air circulation" fits into
installations in ground or plain slab; "Semi-integrated with air duct behind" is
recommended for installations at shingle where there is heat exchange through
the bottom of the PV module; and “Integration with fully insulated back”, is
recommended when low heat exchange is in the module rear, like for example
an American shingle.
Ohmic Losses:
In this section losses for electrical resistance in the cables are defined, according
to figure below:
“Ohmic losses”, according to the image, it is possible to define the details such
as the lengths in the respective sections of the installations (module to the
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inverter, inverter to the transformer and from the transformer to the line),
moreover, we define the thickness of the cables so that the alternatives as close
as possible to reality.
The losses happen when we input the cables and their length, or else generic
values of acceptable losses can be defined, such as 3% of losses according to
NBR-16690 (Brazilian Norm) for DC in the DC Circuit board: ohmic losses of the
group. To define the ohmic AC losses we need to enter the cable length from the
inverter to the transformer and define the cable section. Likewise for the Medium
Voltage Line, where we put the distance from the UFV to the substation and the
cable section.

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Module Quality – LID – Mismatch
● Module Quality
In this field, the percent of efficiency gains of the module are inserted. Efficiency
is the ratio between the energy of sunlight that falls on the surface of the module
and the electrical energy produced by it. If all the solar energy could be
transformed into electricity the efficiency would be 100%, but PVSyst and the
module manufacturers suggest a power efficiency of the modules, the percentage
of light-induced losses is defined.
● LID
The phenomenon, generically known as LID (Light Induced Degradation), is a
phenomenon that reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic cells with exposure to
light. In crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (poly or mono), which dominate the
market, the LID effect is mainly caused by the presence of the boron-oxygen
complex, which causes an initial reduction of efficiency between 1% and 4% and
by contamination with oxygen in the photovoltaic cells manufactured from wafers
P type (boron doped).
● Mismatch:
Mismatch is caused by several reasons, including the shading caused by clouds,
difference in the positioning of structures, changes in the quality of the modules,
differences in the glass thickness of the modules and different reflections in the
bifacial modules, among others, all losses occur in the modules. The main reason
for this to happen is that multiple maximum power points occur. Therefore, some
photovoltaic modules do not contribute to the generated energy of the generator
or operate far from their own maximum power point.

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Soiling Losses
Soiling Loss represents the dirt accumulated on the PV modules, and may be
caused by: leaf, bird droppings, pollution, dusting, etc.
When selecting the field “Define monthly values” we define the percentage of
monthly loss, this is ideal for the user to have an idea of the frequency of cleaning
and put equivalent values for each month, and thus generate the Annual Loss
Factor. By default, PVSyst suggests an annual loss of 3%.
IAM Loss
IAM Loss (Incidence Angle Modifier), is caused by, above all, reflections on the
glass covering and other elements of the PV module. IAM losses is a general

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phenomenon and will always be present in PV installations because of the
reflection and transmission of sunlight at each module interface (air-glass, glass-
EVA, EVA-cell), as well as some absorption in the glass, and this changes the
angle of solar incidence.
PVSyst, since its version 6.67, offers the possibility to specify the glass interface
type (normal glass, anti-reflex revetment, structured glass, or plastic) and
attribute a model according to this specification, according to figure below:
Auxiliary losses
Auxiliary losses are caused by continuous energy losses systems, for example:
ventilation, air-conditioning, illumination, monitoring, trackers, electronics, or any
other equipment that can be consumed from the final energy introduced to the
grid.

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In PVSyst, auxiliary loss data is calculated as a continuous power value in W or
W/kW. To enter the values of auxiliary losses we need to obtain the data through
manuals and datasheets of the equipment and manufacturers.

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Aging Losses
Aging losses are caused in equipment with greater exposure, such as: modules,
batteries (if an off-grid system), inverters that need replacement or maintenance
and all wiring, are examples.
The degradation of the photovoltaic module gives rise to a progressive loss of

efficiency, which we will characterize as a “degradation loss factor”.
Information on aging losses are available in the datasheets and manuals of the
equipment and manufacturers, this information is the maximum expected and if
there is a degradation greater than that reported, the warranty or replacement of
the equipment can be triggered.

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Unavailability Losses
Unavailability Losses are due to the estimate of possible system failures, or lack
of operation of the photovoltaic system for a fraction of time (numbers of days),
when this occurs the system will be unavailable, and this must be considered in
the PVSyst simulation. In this tab we can also define specific periods of
unavailability, for maintenance, for example.
Spectral correction
The spectral correction, measured in air mass (AM), considers changes in the
solar spectrum caused by the dispersion and absorption that occur in the
atmosphere. Such changes depend on the water content in the Earth's
atmosphere, aerosols and the distance traveled by light.
To ensure a proper evaluation of the modules it is important to consider eventual

factors of climate instability and the correction of spectral mismatch errors
between the reference and the module.
There are some models implemented on the PVSyst to describe a spectral

correction, such as the CREST model, which is used for amorphous modules,
and the developed database Sandia, which developed its own database for
calculating parameters for some models based on its experiences and knowledge

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of spectral correction, and also by the spectral model of FirstSolar, which is one
of the largest manufacturers of photovoltaic modules.
Correction losses are disabled by default and can be enabled by the user by
selecting the 'Detailed Losses' dialog as shown in the image below:
By: Filipe Andrade

+55 11 2985-8922

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PVSyst Loss Description - by Filipe Andrade

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Losses – PVSyst

On the structuring of a PV Solar project, it is necessary a study of the system

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

The “Thermal Parameters” section defines the temperature characteristics of PV

• Tamb: Is the ambient temperature.

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

The degradation of the photovoltaic module gives rise to a progressive loss of

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

To ensure a proper evaluation of the modules it is important to consider eventual

There are some models implemented on the PVSyst to describe a spectral

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

By: Filipe Andrade

HDT Energy Importação & Exportação LTDA

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