Performance analysis of a multi crystalline Si photovoltaic module under Mugla climatic conditions in Turkey

Abstract

Commercially available, a multi crystalline silicon (mc-Si) photovoltaic (PV) module has been monitored outdoors under Mugla climatic conditions in Turkey. Electricity yield of this module is calculated from the uninterruptible measured current-voltage curves from sunrise to sunset during a year. Calculated electricity yield from the measured plane of array or in-plane (POA) irradiation is compared with the calculated electricity from the manufacturer's electrical values of the module and the measured electricity from the photovoltaic system consisting 26 mc-Si PV modules from the same manufacturer. Calculated annual energy rating for the PV system is 1415.79 kW h/kW p and 1414.18 kW h/kW p from the manufacturer data and tested module respectively. The measured energy rating value is 1412.78 kW h/kW p. Comparison of results from this study with those obtained from the measurements show that the average difference in monthly electricity values varies between +/- 12% with an annual average value less than 1% and a performance ratio (PR) of 0.72. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.