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U.S. Department of Energy
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Design considerations for stand-alone photovoltaic systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6196989
Long-term availability, defined as the total energy delivered over the lifetime of a system divided by the total energy demand, is a major design criterion for stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Using long-term insolation data from 18 US sites and a newly developed performance model, we found that common sizing practices do not reliably provided desired availability. We developed a new technique that allows the designer to size for a specific long-term availability. This new technique can be used for most climatic types found worldwide and for any stand-alone photovoltaic system. The long-term insolation data and performance model were also used to study the yearly variations in availability. We found that even with systems designed for high long-term availability, there will be periods of very low availability.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6196989
Report Number(s):
SAND-85-2390C; CONF-860322-1; ON: DE86006470
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English