PVFORM - a new approach to photovoltaic system performance modeling

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6406868

Menicucci, D F

Over the past two years a number of studies have resulted in important changes in photovoltaic (PV) system simulation. For example, a Sandia National Laboratories (SNLA) study showed that the major cause of error in PV performance models is incorrect estimates of insolation in the plane of the array of the system under study. Other studies have resulted in improvements in the modelling of various array subsystems. SNLA has integrated improved modelling techniques into a simplified program named PVFORM that can be run on mainframe or personal computers. The new model simulates the hourly performance of a PV flat-plate system for a one-year period. Verification tests at SNLA have shown that predicted values from the PVFORM model are typically within 1% to 5% of measured values. This paper describes the PVFORM model and gives examples of its application to the design, testing, and evaluation of PV systems.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6406868
• Report Number(s): SAND-85-2271C; CONF-851043-13; ON: DE86001752
• Resource Relation: Conference: 18. IEEE photovoltaic specialists conference, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 21 Oct 1985; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
COMPUTER CODES
P CODES
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
PERFORMANCE
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
INSOLATION
LIFE-CYCLE COST
OPTIMIZATION
SIZING
VALIDATION
COST
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
POWER SUPPLIES
SIMULATION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems