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introduction
As one of the largest and most established vertically integrated photovoltaics
manufacturers on the planet, SolarWorld is intimately involved with every step
of the solar PV value chain from raw silicon to installed systems to end-of-life
recycling. This complete knowledgebase combined with our extensive history
provides the critical insight required to lead the solar industry on technical topics.
Black & Veatch created a base case PAN file for the
module using the datasheet and PVSyst defaults.
After evaluating the fit of the base case PAN file
efficiency curves to the measured efficiency curves,
discrepancies were uncovered between the curves.
PAN file input parameters were adjusted accordingly
to reach the closest fit of the PVSyst modeled
efficiency curves to the PVEL measured curves,
which resulted in the final optimized PAN file.
The predicted energy modeling that results from the
optimized PAN files will provide the economic viability
of a project, and drive the selection of the module,
inverter and type of mounting system that will be
used in a project.
PVSYST
The predominant modeling program used in the
United States is PVSyst. PVSyst has a database
of profiles referred to as PAN files for every
module produced in the world by all of the major
manufacturers. These PAN file parameters can be
accessed through the Photon Database for PV
modules. There are two other means to access
PAN files. Sometimes, the module manufacturer
will create their own PAN files using the information
included in their datasheet and their internal R&D
results. The reliability of PAN files developed through
this method is questionable since there is no third
party involvement in the development of this data.
The third method of developing PAN files is to
engage third-party organizations to perform testing
and use the data with predictive algorithms based
on academic research and historical real-world
performance data of the system. This third method
will provide the most reliable data. These PAN files
would also be provided by the module manufacturer
but will state the methodology used and
organizations involved in the third-party validation.
The PV design software, PVSyst Version 5, has several
module parameters that must be modified to
accurately reflect the performance of a SolarWorld
Sunmodule Plus module. These parameters are:
NOCT
Mismatch losses
Power losses
Temperature coefficients
=
kWh
produced
kWp
installed
Economic
yield
Installed
cost
Reference yield
=
kWh
produced
kWp
installed
Measured
irradiance
Performance
ratio
Standard
reference
Methodology
As mentioned previously, PAN files are profiles of
modules in PVSyst. Obtaining a validated PAN file is
valuable for module manufacturers, owners, lenders,
developers and EPC contractors. This new, validated
module characterization file better quantifies various
critical module performance curves over a wide
range of irradiance and temperature conditions,
and reduces risk and financial exposure for energy
predictions.
SolarWorld partnered with PV Evolutions to conduct
IEC 61853-1 testing and Black & Veatch to modify
PAN files and provide validation as a third-party
engineering firm. For companies developing PV
products and projects, PV Evolution Labs (PVEL) is
the premier solar module performance and reliability
testing lab. PVELs calibrated equipment base is
closely maintained to ensure optimal availability
and reliability. Black & Veatch has been ranked by
Engineering News-Record as the industrys No. 1
design firm in both Power and Telecommunications,
and is consistently in the Top 10 in Water. They are
also a leader in more than 20 categories among
design firms, contractors and environmental
companies worldwide.
18
16
12
10
8
6
Module Temp.
( C)
15
25
50
1000
800
600
400
200
1000
800
600
400
200
1000
800
600
400
200
600
400
200
0
Irradiance
(W/m2)
1000
800
14
75
Figure 2. Measured, Base Case and Optimized Efficiency Curve for the SW 255.
PV module: SolarWorld SW 255
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
200
400
600
800
1000
14
12
10
8
6
4
Cells temp = 1C
2
0
200
400
600
800
1000
Figure 4. PVSyst Efficiency Curves for the Optimized SW 255 PAN File.
Modeling Analysis
PVSyst Model:
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
Number of modules
4,511
4,424
4,420
3,520
4,103
1,026
1,026
1,018
1,042
1,017
2,335
2,262
2,305
2,321
2,274
Type
Performance ratio
81.9
79.3
80.8
81.4
79.7
15.21
16.19
16.19
20.1
14.4
82.5%
2,360
Energy yield (kWh/kWp/yr)
Performance ratio
2,340
82%
81.5%
2,320
81%
2,300
80.5%
80%
2,280
79.5%
2,260
79%
2,240
2,220
78.5%
SW 255
Mono B & V
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
78%
Figure 5. Performance Ratio and Energy Yield for the 1 MW System in Palmdale, California.
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
Number of modules
4,508
4,424
4,420
1,151
4,103
1,026
1,026
1,018
1,042
1,017
1,379
1,324
1,358
1,354
1,330
Performance ratio
85.9
82.5
84.6
81.4
82.9
15.21
16.19
16.19
20.1
14.4
Type
87%
1,390
Energy yield (kWh/kWp/yr)
1,380
Performance ratio
86%
1,370
85%
1,360
1,350
84%
1,340
83%
1,330
1,320
82%
1,310
81%
1,300
1,290
SW 255
Mono B & V
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
80%
Figure 7. Performance Ratio and Energy Yield for the 1 MW System in Teteboro, New Jersey.
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
Number of modules
4,508
4,424
4,420
3,520
4,103
1,026
1,026
1,018
1,042
1,017
1,417
1,364
1,396
1,394
1,362
Performance ratio
85.2
82
84
83.8
81.9
15.21
16.19
16.19
20.1
14.4
Type
86%
1,430
Energy yield (kWh/kWp/yr)
1,420
Performance ratio
1,410
1,400
85%
84%
1,390
1,380
83%
1,370
82%
1,360
1,350
81%
13,40
1,330
SW 255
Mono B & V
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
Figure 8. Performance Ratio and Energy Yield for the 1 MW System in Portland, Oregon.
80%
SW-02-5156US-PVS 10-2012 |
10
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
Number of modules
4,508
4,424
4,420
3,520
4,103
1,026
1,026
1,018
1,042
1,017
1,710
1,636
1,677
1,686
1,639
Performance ratio
82.4
78.8
80.8
81.3
79
15.21
16.19
16.19
20.1
14.4
Type
83%
1,720
Energy yield (kWh/kWp/yr)
Performance ratio
1,700
82%
1,680
81%
1,660
80%
1,640
79%
1,620
78%
1,600
1,580
SW 255
Mono B & V
Competitor A
260 Mono
Competitor B
260 Mono
Competitor C
327 Mono
Competitor D
280 Poly
77%
Figure 9. Performance Ratio and Energy Yield for the 1 MW System in Orlando, Florida.
As is shown through the test results against
competitive modules, efficiency of a module
should never be looked at to solely predict the
actual performance of a solar system. SolarWorld
has put over 35 years of real world experience into
designing our modules to provide the best results.
Even against systems designed with higher powered,
larger modules, the SolarWorld module consistently
outperforms in energy yield which is in fact, the
most important measurement when looking at the