Measuring solar spectral and angle-of-incidence effects on photovoltaic modules and solar irradiance sensors

Conference · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:548689

King, D L; Kratochvil, J A; Boyson, W E

Historically, two time-of-day dependent factors have complicated the characterization of photovoltaic module and array performance; namely, changes in the solar spectrum over the day and optical effects in the module that vary with the solar angle-of-incidence. This paper describes straightforward methods for directly measuring the effects of these two factors. Measured results for commercial modules, as well as for typical solar irradiance sensors (pyranometers) are provided. The empirical relationships obtained from the measurements can be used to improve the methods used for system design, verification of performance after installation, and diagnostic monitoring of performance during operation.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 548689
• Report Number(s): SAND-97-1183C; CONF-970953-; ON: DE98001185; BR: EB2203000; TRN: AHC29724%%91
• Resource Relation: Conference: 26. IEEE photovoltaic specialists conference, Anaheim, CA (United States), 29 Sep - 3 Oct 1997; Other Information: PBD: [1997]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
PERFORMANCE
DAILY VARIATIONS
INCIDENCE ANGLE
PYRANOMETERS
PHOTOMETERS
MEASURING METHODS
SOLAR RADIATION