LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

PVSyst Manual
Raam Perumal

2011

Raam_Perumal@student.uml.edu

LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: PV cells generate electricity when they are exposed to sunlight. It is the light energy, which is converted and not heat energy. This heat energy actually leads to loss in total power generated by PV cells. This loss depends on the temperature of PV cells. Loss due to temperature is directly proportional to cell temperature. If the ambient temperature increases, cell temperature increases which leads to loss of generated power. IS IT POSSIBLE TO CALCULATE THIS LOSS? Yes. We can estimate this loss of power. Here we will discuss NOCT method of measuring cell temperature and corresponding loss. NOCT METHOD: In this method we make use of NOCT to calculate. So, what is NOCT? It stands for Nominal Cell Operating Temperature. It is the temperature of a PV cell when it is exposed to an irradiation of 800W/m2, wind speed of 1 m/s and ambient temperature of 20 Celsius. This temperature is given in PV modules data sheet. Now we know the cell temperature when the incident radiation is 800W/m2, wind speed of 1 m/s and ambient temperature of 20 Celsius but, we need to find cell temperature for our ambient temperature and nominal irradiation of 1000 W/m2. We will see how to find that temperature and corresponding loss of power.

Here, , is the absorptivity of the module. UL is the Loss coefficient Tc,NOCT is the Nominal Operating Cell Temperature. It is given in module specification Ta is the ambient temperature for NOCT conditions. It is 20 Celsius Gt,NOCT is the irradiation for NOCT conditions. It is 800 W/m^2

Absorptivity of a module is the ratio of total radiation absorbed by a module to the total radiation striking the surface of a module. A module has to absorb at least 90% of the radiation falling on it. So, we take this value to be 0.90. Here, we are going to use the ratio as a whole. You need not worry about it.

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LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Now we will find the temperature of PV cell for our ambient temperature using this formula,

(
Here,

) (

))

Tc is the module temperature Ta is the corresponding ambient temperature Gt is irradiation received. This is 1000W/m^2 is the efficiency of the PV Cell.

This will give us the cell temperature. Now using this cell temperature, we can find power loss from temperature coefficient of module.

(
Here,

T.Cell is the temperature of the cell. T.Ref is the standard operating cell temperature. This is 25 Deg C Coefficient is the temperature coefficient of the module. We usually take this coefficient corresponding for Vmpp.

Now we will do an example here, and then see how to use this is PVSyst. I am going to consider Schott Power Poly 275 W module. Data from datasheet: Nominal power: 275 W Module efficiency: 14.1 Loss coefficient Pmpp: -0.45 % / deg C T, NOCT is 47 deg C Sample ambient temperature is 40 deg C

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LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Now, = (47 20) / 800 = 0.03375 Tc = 40 + (1000*0.03375*(1 (.141/0.9) = 68.5 deg C Loss % = (68.5 25 ) * ( 0.45) = 19.6 % So, we lose almost 20 % when ambient temperature is 40 deg Celsius. We will find this using PVSyst now. Open PVSyst as we always do and start any project you like. Everything is same until you choose your PV module from the drop down list box. Last time, we did not worry about Array losses. Now we will see how to calculate array loss due to temperature.

Fig1. Selection screen In the above screen choose the type of battery and module you want. It is good to have the modules, datasheet with you to cross check with PVSyst inbuilt data. After selecting both battery and module, click on NEXT. In the next screen, you have to choose the regulator you want. If you have not decided which regulator or charge controller to use, click DEFAULT REGULATOR. After selecting regulator, check operating mode. Use MPPT if your charge controller is MPPT type, DC DC converter if
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LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

you are using this. If you are not sure, please select NORMAL (FIXED VOLTAGE). Now click on ARRAY LOSSES to move on to next screen where you can define NOCT temperature.

Fig2. Regulator selection Now we have to feed values for NOCT temperature. Most PV modules have 45 deg Celsius as NOCT temperature but, some have different values. Check what is given in datasheet and use that. If you dont have a data sheet, use FREE MOUNTED MODULES WITH AIR CIRCULATION option and we will come to this section later.

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LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Fig3. Temperature loss Below NOCT section you have 2 options for NOCT definition. They are, Open Circuit (at Voc ) This means, our NOCT temperature is measured during no load condition. This is the value you find in datasheets. As there is no load connected, cell temperature is higher than loaded state. Loaded (at Pmpp) This option means, our NOCT was measured when our module was operating under maximum efficiency. If you choose this option, you will see a drop in NOCT temperature and there is nothing wrong with it. After you select everything, click OK. Now after simulation in virtual energy flow, you will find a loss section due to temperature. This loss is in electrical section, as this reflects loss after energy is converted into electricity.

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LOSS DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURE

Fig4. Energy flow CONCLUSION: Now we have seen how to calculate loss due to temperature using NOCT method in PVSyst. In next material we will study the other method of loss due to temperature. That section needs little basics in heat transfer and I will try my best to provide you with basics. It is not difficult; it is what we do every day but with some spicy formulas. Once again, thank you for reading this material and if you have doubts, please mail me. Raam_Perumal@student.uml.edu References: http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom/modules/pv-module-temperature Materials provided by Prof. John Duffy, Umass Lowell.

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