05.31.17
At Intersolar Europe, imec will introduce simulation software that accurately predicts the daily energy yield of solar cells and solar modules under varying meteorological and irradiation conditions. Imec’s model combines optical, thermal and electrical parameters to provide detailed insight on thermal gradients in the solar module. The model integrates the effect of these gradients, resulting in a significantly better accuracy (root mean square error of only 2.5%) than commercially available software packages for energy yield estimation.
Solar cell efficiencies and photovoltaic module performances are typically only measured under standard lab conditions. However, in reality, photovoltaic modules are operated in the field under conditions that are substantially different from these standard lab conditions. They are exposed to varying meteorological conditions in terms of irradiation, temperature and wind, which, in addition, all vary during the course of the day.
In contrast to most existing models for energy yield calculation, imec’s model starts from the physical parameters of the solar cells and the used materials, and includes on top of that their variations due these changing external conditions.
Solar cell efficiencies and photovoltaic module performances are typically only measured under standard lab conditions. However, in reality, photovoltaic modules are operated in the field under conditions that are substantially different from these standard lab conditions. They are exposed to varying meteorological conditions in terms of irradiation, temperature and wind, which, in addition, all vary during the course of the day.
In contrast to most existing models for energy yield calculation, imec’s model starts from the physical parameters of the solar cells and the used materials, and includes on top of that their variations due these changing external conditions.