YieldOpt, a model to predict the power output and energy yield for concentrating photovoltaic modules

Abstract

In this work, we discuss three empirical models and introduce one more detailed model named YieldOpt. All models can be used to calculate the power output and energy yield of concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) modules under different ambient conditions. The YieldOpt model combines various modeling approaches: simple model of the atmospheric radiative transfer of sunshine for the spectral irradiance, a finite element method for thermal expansion, ray tracing for the optics, and a SPICE network model for the triple-junction solar cell. YieldOpt uses a number of constant and variable input parameters, for example, the external quantum efficiency of the cells, the temperature-dependent spectral optical efficiencies of the optics, the tracking accuracy, the direct normal irradiance, the aerosol optical depth, and the temperature of the lens and the solar cell. To verify the accuracy of the models, the I-V characteristics of five CPV modules have been measured in a 10-min interval over a period of 1year in Freiburg, Germany. Four modules equipped with industrial-standard lattice-matched triple-junction solar cells and one module equipped with metamorphic triple-junction solar cells are investigated. The higher accuracy of YieldOpt compared with the three empirical models in predicting the power output of all five CPV modules during this period is demonstrated. The energy yield over a period of 1year was predicted for all five CPV modules with a maximum deviation of 5% by the three empirical models and 3% by YieldOpt

SOPHIA CPV module round robin: Power rating at CSOC

“…Z(top,mid) is defined as follows [7][8][9]: 1 For SMR values close to 1 deviation is almost negligible and SMR(top,mid) 1 + 2 x Z(top,mid). …”

Uncertainty estimation of spectral matching ratio based power rating of CPV modules

“…The investigations performed in this work are based on a common modeling approach [4,5]. The modeling approach consists of three main elements: solar spectral irradiance modeling software SMARTS2 [6,7], measured external quantum efficiencies (EQE) and the two-diode model of multi-junction solar cells.…”

Spectral network based on component cells under the SOPHIA European project

“…Since AM and AOD are mainly affecting the initial part of the spectrum and PW is clearly related to water peak absorptions that affect mostly middle-bottom wavelengths, SMR are gaining prominence in the CPV technology to fix prevailing spectral conditions by filtering, using as reference condition SMRs=1 [5][6][7][8][9]. IEC62670-3 draft is currently including this approach.…”