Performance assessment of different photovoltaic systems under identical field conditions of high irradiation

Abstract

This paper presents the first year performance results and analysis of 14 grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems under the weather conditions in Cyprus. The different PV technologies under test range from monocrystalline to multicrystalline and thin film technologies. As in all performance assessment practices of PV systems the results are provided according to their measured Performance Ratio (PR) and the Energy Yield (both dc and ac). Such evaluation of installed PV systems is very important in enhancing the efficiency in the quest for increased power production to be fed into the electricity grid. The use of these performance parameters further facilitates direct comparisons which are independent of geographic location of the installed systems. This is particularly important as in the scope of this project the same PV systems are installed in Germany and Egypt. Based on this background and by utilizing the acquired data from the sophisticated datalogging system installed, the performance ratio and energy yield of the installed systems has been evaluated and analyzed for the period of one year. The arrays under test have shown yearly energy yields (dc) between 1700 - 1800 kWh/kWp and energy yields (ac) between 1550 - 1650 kWh/kWp. Accordingly the PR (dc) was between 85% - 93% while the respective PR (ac) was between 77% - 85%.