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Output Variation of Photovoltaic Modules With Environmental Factors-I. The Effect of Spectral Solar Radiation On Photovoltaic Module Output
Output Variation of Photovoltaic Modules With Environmental Factors-I. The Effect of Spectral Solar Radiation On Photovoltaic Module Output
463-468, 1995
Pergamon Copyright 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd
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Abstract-In this study, it was investigated how changes in spectral solar radiation effects the output of
photovoltaic modules. First, there was a precise examination of the seasonal changes in spectral solar
radiation. Consequently, it was found that the ratio of spectral solar radiation available for solar cell
utilization, to global solar radiation, changes from season to season. It varied, from 5% for polycrystalline
silicon cells, to 14% for amorphous silicon cells, throughout one year. Obviously a cell made from
amorphous silicon is more severely effected by seasonal variations.
Next, the seasonal changes of photovoltaic module output were examined. The output was calculated
by the conventional output evaluation method using irradiance and cell temperature. This calculated
value and the subsequently measured value were accumulated and the two values compared. As a result,
the accumulated output of photovoltaic modules was confirmed as changing seasonally in the same way
as spectral solar radiation. The output ratio of polycrystalline silicon was found to change by 4%, while
that of amorphous silicon varied by 20%. Hence the seasonal variations in spectral solar radiation should
be taken into account for optimum photovoltaic power system design.
463
464 Y. Hirata and T. Tani
Pyranometer
Spectral irradiance
Spectroradiometer
I PV I Cell temperature
PI
( Characteristic data
c
i of IV curve
35.5” from horizontal, due south
Fig 1. PV module data collection system. The PV modules and other measuring apparatus were situated
on a slope that is inclined 35.5” to the horizontal and faces due south.
Fig. 2. PC modules and measurement apparatus: polycrystalline and amorphous silicon, thermocouples,
pyranometer and spectroradiometer. the equipment has been installed on the roof of our Kagurazaka
campus since December 1988.
Table 1. Rating of PV modules obtained in July 1990. The area and conversion efficiency of polycrystalline silicon are used
as a unit for comparison
a much narrower range of wavelengths, varia- (lb) were obtained as is described below.
tions in spectral radiation would be expected to Spectral response range of solar cells begins
have a much greater effect on the output from from channel 1 (for brevity, channel is denoted
this material. Hence to examine output charac- as CH) to the middle of CH6 for polycrystalline
teristics accurately, not only quantity, but also silicon and from CHl to the middle of CH5 for
“quality” of radiation needs to be considered. amorphous silicon. Accordingly, the ratios
The concept of “available spectrum” is accounting for available spectrum of CH6 for
applied to study this “quality” of solar radiation. polycrystalline silicon and of CH5 for amor-
Available spectrum is the spectral solar radia- phous silicon, based on reference sunlight, were
tion being received in the range of spectral calculated and their values were fixed as the
response. Available spectral ratio is the ratio of coefficients of E, and E,.
available spectrum to global solar radiation. Available spectral ratio is calculated from the
Figure 6 illustrates this comparison. ratio of E, to E. Available spectral ratio in each
Available spectra Ei (kW/m’) for each solar month R, is given by:
cell are given by eqns (la) and (lb).
Polycrystalline silicon: R,= lrn E,dr,lm Edt (2)
E,= 2 E,+0.561-E, (la) where r, is the total irradiation time for each
?I=1
month (h).
Amorphous silicon:
4 3.2. Available spectral ratio in each month
EL= 2 E,+0.849-E,. (lb) Here, the available spectral ratio in each
II=1
month was obtained from eqn (2). Figure 7
The coefficients of E, in eqn (la) and E, in eqn shows the results. As shown in Fig. 7, available
!-! 1
a ctral Response
r/l Polycrystalline $5.
a
5
I,, I, % I,, ,I.
spectral ratio changed by 5% for polycrystalline and the summer radiation level appears to
silicon and 14% for amorphous silicon through match the spectral response of amorphous sili-
1 yr. Hence amorphous silicon is more severely con, which has its peak around 550 nm as shown
effected by spectral solar radiation changes. in Fig. 3.
" 1.2
Z
a 1.1
0
3
e 1.0
3t; 0.9
&
v, 0.8
Fig. 8. Sectral change rate in each wavelength band from season to season. Spectral change rate is the
rate of spectral ratio in each month to spectral ratio in a year.
468 Y. Hirata and T. Tani
NOMENCLATURE
4.2. Accumulated output in each month
A area of PV modules (m’)
During each day of 1993, data was collected C,(n - l-6) spectral change rate in each wavelength band
from the PV modules and pyranometer on the D the coefficient of output decrease by dirt
E global irradiance on an inclined surface
roof of our campus building. Output was eval-
(kWm2)
uated by the conventional method using eqns E,(n - 1-6) spectral irradiance in each wavelength band
(4a) and (4b). This calculated value and the (kW/m*)
measured value were both accumulated and E* available spectrum to each solar cells
( kW/m’)
compared for each month. Figures 9(a) and (b) P 25 the maximum output at cell temperature of
show these comparisons. The measured values 25°C (W)
P max maximum output power (W)
for both materials showed a minimum in winter
JL spectral ratio in each month
and maximum in summer. Polycrystalline sili- spectral ratio in a year
4
con varied by 4% whereas the amorphous silicon R* available spectral ratio to each solar cells
cells showed a variation of 20%. These results t solar cell temperature (“C)
LY the temperature coefficient of maximum
show the same tendency as those indicated in output (l/q
Fig. 7, demonstrating that the output of PV h conversion efficiency
modules varies from season to season and that %I the total irradiation time for each month (h)
rY the total irradiation time for one year (h)
this is directly related to the variation in spectral
solar radiation.
REFERENCES
5. CONCLUSION Hirata Y. and Tani T. Evaluation of photovoltaic modules
considered spectral solar radiation. Trans. IEE Jap.
In this paper, it has been attempted to show 113-D, No.9 (1993).
the results of investigating how spectral solar Hirata Y. and Tani T. Evaluation of photovoltaic modules
considering - spectral
_ solar radiation, electrical engineer-
radiation effects the output of PV modules.
ing in Japan. Scripta Technica 114, No.8 (1994). -
Firstly, the seasonal variation in spectral solar Kohri K., Hirata Y., Tani T. and Nakai H. The transmission
radiation available to solar cells, was examined. of solar module coverglass-influence of output on envi-
Next, the accumulated measured value of PV ronmental exposure and dust. 1993 JSES.JWEA Joint
Co&, No.22 (1993).
module output was calculated for each month Kuwano Y. and Takeoka A. Solar Cell Guidebook, p. 27.
and the seasonal changes analyzed. Conse- Power Co., Tokyo (1990).
Solar Energy Utilization Handbook Committee, Solar
quently, the following points became clear:
Energy Utilization Handbook, p. 39. JSES, Tokyo (1985).
(i) The ratio of available to global solar radia- Tsugi T. The method to design power source. of solar cell.
tion had a seasonal variation of 5% for Solar Energy 9, p. 32 (1983).