Recent advances in outdoor performance evaluation of PV systems
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (US)
- EG and G Inc., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Sandia`s Photovoltaic Technology Laboratory (PTEL) routinely performs outdoor tests of a variety of one-sun and concentrator PV modules. The authors experience is that while outdoor testing has its own set of problems, it can produce results that are more directly applicable to ``field`` conditions than testing in solar simulators. They have recently improved both the hardware and software at the PTEL to improve their accuracy and to deal with the special set of problems encountered in outdoor testing. Improvements in hardware include a computer-controlled solar tracker that allows us to test arrays up to 21 m{sup 2} in size; infrared imaging of modules; and electronic loads that allow us to test components with outputs up to 1,800 watts. Improvements in software include real-time monitoring of data collection; a relational data base that has improved the reliability of test setups, operations and analyses; and a standardized reporting process that relates module performance to a number of environmental parameters.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 10165583
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--92-2829C; CONF-930540--2; ON: DE93015031
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
FIELD TESTS
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
SANDIA LABORATORIES
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
TEST FACILITIES