Photovoltaic field test performance assessment. Technology status report Number 2

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5353423

Inglis, D J

Descriptions of 1982 performance are provided for five flat plate and five concentrator photovoltaic systems. They range in size from 18 kW to 225 kW. All of the systems have extensive instrumentation; performance readings are generally available every 10 minutes. Flat plate systems are reliable, although not particularly efficient (5.6% to 8.1%). Well-tuned concentrator systems are more efficient (over 10%), but are subject to more mechanical problems. Insolation availability varies widely from day-to-day, even in the desert southwest. Average achievable capacity factors, based on insolation availability, vary by site over a range of 20% to 30%. Many of the sites operated within 80% to 90% of their achievable value.

• Research Organization: Boeing Computer Services Co., Tukwila, WA (USA). Energy Technology Applications Div.
• OSTI ID: 5353423
• Report Number(s): EPRI-AP-3244; ON: DE84920079
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
CAPACITY
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIELD TESTS
INFORMATION
INSOLATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
POWER SUPPLIES
RELIABILITY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
TESTING