Photovoltaic field test performance assessment. Technology status report No. 3

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6185080

Inglis, D J

Descriptions of 1983 performance are provided for five flat plate and two concentrator photovoltaic systems. They range in size from 18 kW to 1000 kW. All of the systems have extensive instrumentation; performance readings are generally available every 10 minutes. Array nameplate ratings are optimistic, and observed power outputs equal them only under rare combinations of high insolation and low ambient temperatures. Module efficiencies ranged from 5.5 to 10%. The older flat plate systems were the lowest; the concentrator systems were the highest. The newer flat plate modules fell in the middle. Tracking flat plate systems demonstrated high insolation capture and energy densities. Power conditioner failures were the largest contributors to decreased system availabilities.

• Research Organization: Boeing Computer Services Co., Tukwila, WA (USA). Energy Technology Applications Div.
• OSTI ID: 6185080
• Report Number(s): EPRI-AP-3792; ON: TI85920153
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
FIELD TESTS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY YIELD
INSOLATION
INVERTERS
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
YIELDS
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems