Influence of module temperature on the operating parameters of photovoltaic modules

Abstract

This paper shows the results of investigation of the effect of operating temperature on the performance of a photovoltaic module. Two modules made in different technologies were experimentally studied, i.e., monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The experiments were performed in the temperature range of – 20 oC – 60 oC and for each measurement point, the electrical parameters of the module were measured and from this data the generated power and solar energy conversion efficiency were calculated. As a result of the tests, a decrease of power and efficiency of the module was observed with increasing operating temperature. In the tested temperature range, the observed decrease in efficiency was about 20%. Higher efficiency values were obtained for the monocrystalline module. However, this module was also characterized by a higher dynamics of efficiency decrease with operating temperature increase. The obtained value of the temperature coefficient of power loss for an irradiance of about 500 W/m2 for the polycrystalline module was equal to 0.26 %/K and for the monocrystalline module it was equal to 0.28 %/K