Improved test method to verify the power rating of a photovoltaic (PV) project.

Conference · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2010

OSTI ID:990057

Panchula, A ^[1]; Pligavko, A ^[1]; King, D; Marion, B ^[2]; Townsend, T ^[3]; Mitchell, L ^[4]; Dierauf, T ^[5]; Kimber, A ^[5]; Osterwald, C R ^[2]; Newmiller, Jeff ^[3]; Emery, K ^[2]; Talmud, F ^[6]; Whitaker, Chuck ^[3]; Myers, D ^[2]; Forbess, J ^[1]; Granata, Jennifer E; Levitsky, T ^[1]

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1. First Solar, Inc.
2. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
3. BEW Engineering
4. San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
5. SunPower Corporation
6. NextEra Energy Resources

This paper reviews the PVUSA power rating method and presents two additional methods that seek to improve this method in terms of model precision and increased seasonal applicability. It presents the results of an evaluation of each method based upon regression analysis of over 12 MW of operating photovoltaic (PV) systems located in a wide variety of climates. These systems include a variety of PV technologies, mounting configurations, and array sizes to ensure the conclusions are applicable to a wide range of PV designs and technologies. The work presented in this paper will be submitted to ASTM for use in the development of a standard test method for certifying the power rating of PV projects.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 990057
• Report Number(s): SAND2010-1609C
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
CERTIFICATION
MEASURING METHODS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
STANDARDS