Journal of Green Engineering (JGE)

Volume-10, Issue-10, October 2020

Review of Photovoltaic Systems

Performance Influencing Factors
1,*
Bhogula Navothna, 2Sri Chandan Kondamudi, 3,*Sandhya Thotakura

1,2,3
Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Gandhi
Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam
530045, Andhra Pradesh, India. E-mail: navothna9999@gmail.com,
skondamu@gitam.edu, sthotaku@gitam.edu

Abstract
This research article focus on the study of various factors influencing the
performance of photovoltaic plants. A review on influence factors such as
yield factors, quality factors, efficiency and loss factors of Photovoltaic plant
with climate, PV plant size, and PV technologies is presented. The effect of
seasonal and technological variations on the performance parameters is
analyzed considering two power plants of 200 kWp and 190 kWp grid-
integrated PV systems in India. Interestingly, the yield factor is maximum
and minimum in summer and winter respectively, whereas it is moderate for
pc-si and mc-si technologies. Moreover, the quality factor and loss factor are
depending on cell temperatures and solar irradiation; system efficiency is
maximum in winter and minimum in summer seasons. The analysis findings
will allow researchers to understand a detailed overview of the various
factors that may influence the PV panels’ performance by eliminating the
strain of having to look for several reports in each group of factors.

Keywords: solar plants, photovoltaics, PV performance, factors for PV

performance, capacity factors, solar plant energy loss.

Journal of Green Engineering, Vol. 10_10, 9052-9067.

© 2020 Alpha Publishers. All rights reserved
9053 Bhogula Navothna et al.

1 Introduction

Renewable energy is an important focus for energy production

worldwide, since the green house gases (CH4, O3, CFC & mainly Co2)
emission into the atmosphere are causing high environmental pollution with
the usage of fossil fuels. Concurrently the gases and the radioactive waste
released from Nuclear power plants remains active for years making the
environment more worst. Scientists and engineers are searching for safe,
clean renewable energies from the perspectives of global warming and
natural gas shortages, where solar energy is chosen to be the most promising
among the available renewable energy methods because of its advantages in
energy production, operation and maintenance.
For many factors, solar energy has now become one of the most
extensively used sources of renewable energy. As it is a free source of
energy, recently the cost of solar panels is also reduced various subsidies are
initiated by government on installing rooftop PV models. Over few years, a
potential research is under way on the study, deployment, maintenance and
performance of solar PV systems. The articles highlighted the feasibility of
installing rooftop PV plants, as well as their performance investigations
mathematically and also with software simulation tools. Many articles
specify that the performance of the PV system are relying on parameters
such as solar irradiation, wind speed, ambient temperatures, material &
mounting of PV module, module temperatures. The article [1] presented the
effect of geographical variations (solar radiation, temperature of air, wind
speeds) on the performance and also focused on the variations in module
temperature. A highest variation of -20% to 5% is observed from the above
mentioned parameters in different locations. The effect of warmth climate
on the PV efficiency on PV systems installed on free-standing frames, PV-
thermal collectors, and building integrated photovoltaic arrays were
discussed in [2].The article confirms that performance ratio is higher due to
low temperatures in high altitudes.
The performance of 11.2kWp roof top grid connected PV system is
studied for three different seasons in a year [3]. It is noted that the lowest
efficiency and high PR are observed during high temperatures and vice
versa. A variation of 0.2-1.0 % in the efficiency and 1-10% PR values are
observed. The performance of Monocrystalline , Polycrystalline and
Amorphous modules installed on rooftops of an educational institute in
Morocco is studied in [4]. The results exhibited a maximum PR of 72.10%,
91.53% and 86.20%, is achieved on cloudy days sue to low temperature and
high wind speed, where as minimum PR values, PV module efficiency on
low sunny day and rainy day is effecting the energy generated. The
performance 32.7kWp capacity BAPV and BIPV configurations is
compared with three different technologies (crystalline, CIS, CdTe) using
PVGIS in [5]. The losses of 2.8%, −1 to−5%, and−7.4 to−13.6% are
 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9054

observed due to the incidence angle, spectral effects, change in irradiance

and module temperatures. It is shown that in the mentioned technologies
CdTe cells performs the better than others.
The performance of a 200kWp on-grid PV model, installed on the roof-
tops of pre-fabricated portable cabins (PPC) is presented based on warm and
temperature climates [6]. The performance ratio, capacity utilization factor
and the capture losses for the plant are notes as 71.30%, 15.21% and 20.12%
respectively.
The performance of a 200kW roof integrated PV system predicted using
PVsyst simulation tool shows a approximate degradation rate of -0.6% to -
5% for a PV array, where as the energy loss was -26.5% [7]. The study on
the effect of temperature on the PV panel output specify that the output
power and efficiency decreases with increase in module temperatures. The
effect of cell temperature on electrical efficiency and thermal comfort are
examined on a 5.25kWp building integrated installed system in a time
interval of 30 minutes in a day under tropical weather conditions by
estimating its overall performance in [8]. The performance of a 1 MWp roof
top solar PV plant located in tropical wet and dry climates of India is
discussed for an operational period of one year in [9].
The performance analyses of PV Plants in various locations, for different
weather and seasonal conditions as well as for different technologies were
discussed in [10-20]. Various performance parameters such as Yield factors,
Quality factors, Loss factors and Efficiency factors are discussed. Hence
knowledge and understanding of solar performance parameters will ensure
effective investment, decisions and better regulatory environment,
technological enhancement of solar photovoltaic technology.
This research article covers the study of various performance parameters
of PV system such as Yield factor, Quality factors, Efficiency and losses. A
Comparative study is made to estimate the performance factors for different
climatic conditions, size and types of PV systems. A 200 kWp grid
connected PV system in Chandigarh [8] and 190kWp grid connected PV
System in khatkra-kalan[20] are considered for the analysis. The article is
structured as: Section 2 explains the methodology to frame the article,
Section 3 discuss the performance parameters and their variations for
different technologies and Section 4 concludes the article.

2 Methodology

In recent decades, research on the factors influencing the output of PV

panels has expanded. Several noticeable articles are available in all major
journal databases on the PV panels' factors considered for this analysis. They
address and current issues which are frequently encountered by professionals
and investigators concerning PV panels. This has helped to build a study that
could involve both influential factors and common issues. In addition, a few
 9055 Bhogula Navothna et al.

of the articles included in this analysis are review papers that provide a
broader and more reflective view of the factors influencing the performance
of PV panels' performance [21]. Therefore, a new arrangement proposed for
the four major categories: Yield factors, Quality factors, loss factors, and
Efficiency.
These categories are highlighted because of their importance to present
study trends, as well as their coverage of ecological, financial, technical and
sustainability fields of interest to professionals and researchers. Articles
under review are selected because they are the most appropriate to
incorporate the most relevant and familiar aspects of the total articles.
However, some of the shortcomings in those papers are that they have
ignored some of the factors influencing PV panels' performance, whether
they have a minor or major impact. In addition, previous research did not
measure some of the factors and did not clarify why certain factors had not
been validated before.
In summary, the associated papers were chosen on the basis of the
parameters shown in Figure 1. Therefore, this research aims to present an
integrated analysis of all the factors listed and study the impact of each factor
on PV systems' performance with the environment, PV Size, and PV
Technology. No previous analysis was conducted, which has combined all
these factors into one study and has categorized the factors according to the
proposed classification in this paper.

Selection Criteria Starts

Identification of available publications using keywords

Selection of paper for last decade

Segregate most cited paper and those that shared common and
influencial factors on the performance of PV System

Listing out the final and selected papers that provides ground
for researchers and professional

Figure 1 Search and selection of papers

3 Influence Factors of PV System

This study sets out the framework for the performance analysis of the grid-
connected system. The performance parameters developed by International
Energy Agency (IEA) [6] were used to analyze the performance parameters of
the grid-connected systems.
 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9056

Table 1. Performance parameters

Yield factors Quality Factors Loss Factors Efficiency

Array yield Capacity utilization System losses Array Efficiency

Final yield factor Array capture Inverter
Reference Performance ratio losses efficiency
yield Thermal Capture System efficiency
losses

3.1 Yield Factors

Yield factors: The term yield refers to how much energy (kWh) is generated
for each kWp of module capacity during a typical or actual year. The factors
that impact on yield are location, Weather file, Module orientation, module
selection and balance of system efficiency [5-7].
Yield factors can be classified as:

Array yield ( ): It is calculated as the ratio of the energy output of the PV

array to the rated output of the PV array at the STC. Units:h/d

(1)

Final yield ( ): It is calculated as the fraction of the AC power of the PV

system over a defined duration (day/ month / year) to the rated output of the
PV system at the STC. Units:h/d

(2)

Reference yield ( ): It is calculated as ratio of net solar radiation on the

surface of module to reference irradiation. Units:h/d

(3)

These three yield parameters are critical to the performance of the PV

system. In March, the highest final performance was attributed to clear skies
during this month, with just three days of cloud and rain. The lowest final
output during December was attributed to the lowest energy output this
month. The seasonal variation of yield factor of two locations in India, i.e.,
200 kWp grid-intergrated PV system in Chandigarh [4] and 190 kWp grid-
connected PV System in khatkra-kalan is considered [20]. The variation of
three yield parameters, i.e., final, reference, and array yield parameters of
9057 Bhogula Navothna et al.

Chandigarh PV plant. Similarly, two yield parameters i.e., final, reference

yield parameters of Khatkar-kalan PV plant for two months in a year are in
Table. 2. The seasonal variation of two on the PV grid can be seen in the
figure. 2. The variation of yield factor with PV System Size, PV Technology
in 11 different places in India was considered and it is observed that 80 kWp
thiruthani area [10] has maximum yield factor of 4.02 h/p and minimum yield
factor of 1.45 h/d.

Table 2. 190 kWp on grid connected PV system (Khatkar-Kalan, India) [20]

Month
January 1.45 2.29
September 2.84 3.53

Final Yield Reference Yield

7
6
Yield factors(h/d)

5
4
3
2
1
0
Winter
Summer Monsoon Autumn
Seasons
Figure 2. Seasonal variation of Yield factor of grid connected PV system
in Chandigarh, India

PV technologies were polycrystalline-silicon cells P-si(or)pc-si and mono

crystalline-silicon cells mc-si the yield factor is maximum for seven PV
plants with pc-si(polycrystalline-silicon cells). The variation of yield factors
with PV system technology is as shown in Figure 3.
 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9058

Figure 3. Variation of yield factor with system size, technologies

3.2 Quality Factors

Quality factors: The two parameters which assess the quality of the PV plant
independently of the location are the performance ratio and the capacity
utilization factor. [5-7]:

Performance ratio: It is calculated as the ratio of final yield to reference

yield

(4)

Capacity utilization factor: The proportion of the total electricity produced

by the PV system in 24 hours of a day per year to its full potential output at
the same time at defined rated power. The capacity factor varies depending
on the solar radiation available for sunny days at the location.

( ) (5)

This paper explores the variance of quality factors in terms of climate,

solar PV system and the scale. The seasonal variation of the performance
ratio is shown in Figure 4, and the highest performance ratio is observed in
the winter (January) when the cell temperature was minimum and the
minimum PR in the autumn (September) whenever the cell temperature is
45.98 0C, i.e. when the cell temperature rises the PR of the system is reduced
[nm] for the Chandigarh PV plant [4].
 9059 Bhogula Navothna et al.

Figure 4. Seasonal variation of Performance ratio

The variation of Performance ratio with PV Technologies and Size is as

shown in Figure 6 It is seen that, the polycrystalline-silicon has highest
performance ratio compared to mono crystalline-silicon type PV systems.
There are several variables that affect the value of the PR, which could be
environmental and other factors. Environmental considerations include PV
module temperature, solar irradiation and shading of power dissipation. Other
factors include conduction losses, PV module and inverter performance
factors, and variations in solar cell technology [4].
High performance PV plants can have PR value of 80%. It is observed
that in summer the CUF (%) is maximum and in winter CUF (%) is
minimum. It can be concluded that increasing the value of radiation, CUF
value increases [3]. Figure 5 shows the season wise variation of CUF (%).

Figure 5 Season wise variation of CUF

 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9060

The variation of CUF(%) with PV Technologies and system size is as

shown in Figure 6. It is observed that CUF is maximum for polycrystalline
cells than mono crystalline cell type technology. The different various
locations in India were considered and the CUF(%) is maximum in 80 kWp
[10] and minimum for 190 kWp PV plant [20].

Figure 6. Variation in Performance ratio and capacity utilization factor as per the
PV technologies

3.3 Loss factors

Loss factors: This loss factors includes array capture losses, system losses,
thermal capture loss and miscellaneous losses [11]. The Figure 7 shows the
loss parameter in a PV plant.

Figure 7. Loss parameters of PV Plant

System losses ( ): During the conversion of DC electrical energy into AC

electrical energy, this loss occurs mainly. This loss is assigned to the inverter,
9061 Bhogula Navothna et al.

and passive components [5-7]. Units: kWh per kWp per day (or) hours per
day.

= (6)

PV Array capture losses ( ): Mainly due to the working conditions of the

array. This is the distinction between the reference yield and the array yield
[5-7]. Units: kWp per day (or) hours per day.

= (7)

Thermal capture losses ( ): It happens when the PV module functions

above 25°C. It is the Variation between the array yield and the complete
yield[5-7]. Units: kWp per day (or) hours per day.

= (8)

= [ ( )] (9)
( )
(10)

Where, , are the corrected thermal reference and reference yield

respectively. ( ) is cell temperature, and ( ) is temperature
coefficient of power. ( ) is ambient temperature, and NOCT( ) is
nominal operating cell temperature. ( ) is daily net solar
radiation on module surface [3].

Miscellaneous capture loss( ): These types of losses are caused by wires

and cables, loss of diodes, shading, loss due to module failure, soiling and
maximum power point (MPPT) loss [5-7].

= (11)

denote the array capture and indicate thermal capture losses.

It is observed that the system losses are more compared to capture loss.
The maximum capture loss factor is recorded to be in summer as there is
increase in cell temperature and minimum in winter as the cell temperature is
minimum. This capture loss is further divided as thermal loss ( ) and
miscellaneous capture losses ( ). is determined by taking the module's
temperature coefficient as -0.44%/ for power. The maximum is 0.85h/d
 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9062

due to high module temperature and minimum value of 0.01h/d in

January.
The minimum is observed to be in autumn with 0.59 hours per day
when the module surface was relatively clean and the azure clearness index
was high. And maximum with 0.71h/day is recorded in winter. The
above results are recorded for Chandigarh on grid PV plant [3] as shown in
Figure 8. The capture losses of amorphous-si:H were higher than those of
other mentioned technologies. And system losses of polycrystalline silicon
module were higher than other technologies. And variation of capture losses
with seasons is as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 8. Seasonal variation of system and capture losses

Figure 9. Seasonal variation of miscellaneous and thermal capture losses

3.4 Efficiency

Inverter efficiency: It is the ratio of the AC power output to the DC power

input [5-7].
(12)

System efficiency: The ratio of electric power output to solar energy input is
defined as System efficiency (product of total array area ( ) and
( ) net total solar radiation [5-7].
9063 Bhogula Navothna et al.

(13)

Maximum is found in the winter and minimum in the summer. The

performance of the PV plant depends on climatic parameters such as
temperature, soiling, radiation, humidity as well as wind. Mainly, the cell
temperature directly affects production. Figure 10 shows the seasonal
variation of PV plant.

Figure 10 Seasonal variation of efficiency

The variation of Efficiency with PV technologies and Size is as shown in

Figure 11.

Figure 11. Efficiency with PV technologies

It is noted that, the maximum efficiency of 3 MWp PV plant [12] and

minimum for 80 kWp thiruthani PV plant [10].
Clearly, the polycrystalline type PV technology has higher efficiency
compared to mono crystalline. Performance is optimum when the efficiency
of the module and the inverter is maximum.
 Review of Photovoltaic Performance Influencing Factors 9064

4 Conclusion

This research article presents detailed review on the variation of

performance parameter with climate, PV size and PV technology. The
following changes were observed:
 Yield factor is maximum in summer and minimum in winter. Highest
yield factor is observed in thiruthani area which has solar insolation
of 5.23 kwh/ Yield factor is moderate for pc-si and mc-si.
 Quality factors such as performance ratio and capacity utilization
factors were discussing these parameters depends on cell temperature
and radiation. Polycrystalline silicone modules have higher quality
factors compared to monocrystalline.
 Loss parameters includes system losses, array capture loss. It is
observed that this loss parameters depends on cell temperature.
 System efficiency is maximum in winter and minimum in summer.
 Efficiency of poly crystalline is more when compared to mono
crystalline.

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Biographies

Bhogula Navothna received her M.Tech degree in Electrical Power Engineering

from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She
is currently studying for her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Gandhi Institute of
Technology and Management (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam 530045,
Andhra Pradesh, India. Her area of interest includes Solar PV systems, Renewable
Energy, Power Systems.

Sri Chandan Kondamudi received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from
Andhra University. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in the
Department of Electrical Electronics and Communication Engineering, Gandhi
Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed to be University),
Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India. His interests include Design of
9067 Bhogula Navothna et al.

Linear Electrical Machines, Design of Electromagnetic Launching Systems, PV Cell

design, and analysis, Renewable energy technologies.

Sandhya Thotakura received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from

Andhra University. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in the
Department of Electrical Electronics and Communication Engineering, Gandhi
Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed to be University),
Visakhapatnam 530045, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her interests include Design of
Linear Electrical Machines, Design of Electromagnetic Launching Systems, PV Cell
design, and analysis, Renewable energy technologies.