BENCHMARKING OF THE SW80 POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON MODULES USING THE SUN AS SOURCE OF LIGHT

Abstract

Benchmarking of modules is necessary as it helps to note any changes on the operation of the modules when in operation outdoors. The equipment needed to do this has been found to be very expensive hence the need of cheaper methods. This paper tries to show how this can be achieved using outdoor conditions and an I/V measuring instrument PVPM1000. SW80 photovoltaic modules were tested using outdoor conditions. The current and voltage measurements were taken at solar noon and converted to the standard test conditions (STC, 1000 Wm-2 AM 1.5 and 25°C). These normalized values were in turn taken as bench mark values of the modules. Future measurements can then be taken at solar noon and compared to benchmark values; any variations in performance can then be noted. The variations on benchmark values as compared to the manufacturer STC values for SW80 type module were noted. The measurements were carried out under typical South Africa meteorological conditions.

Keywords

Dates

  • Submission Date2011-08-15
  • Revision Date2012-04-20
  • Acceptance Date2012-05-04

DOI Reference

10.2298/TSCI110815088M

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