05
Dec
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF Q.CELLS PRODUCTS
Dec 05, 2012
Have you ever wondered how a solar module performs under real life conditions – beyond the regular nominal power values?
It’s a worthwhile question, especially since the real performance of a module is strongly linked to two factors: module temperature and irradiance. In real life both factors hardly reach their ideal values of the standard test conditions which are the basis for the measurement of the nominal power. Despite a challenging business year 2012, Hanwha Q.CELLS has continued to further optimise their solar modules’ technology and enhanced the temperature coefficient as well as the low light behaviour. To make the theory work in real life, too – under every climate condition.
The standard test conditions to determine the nominal power of a module are based on an irradiance of 1000 W/m² and a module temperature of 25°C. But do you ever get those ideal conditions in real life? Fact is: The relative module efficiency decreases with lower irradiance as well as with increased module temperature. Generally, even under a clear sunny sky, an irradiance of 1000 W/m² does not occur very often. Even in southern Spain, peaks are below 1000 W/m². Further north, peaks are even lower – sometimes only between 200 and 500 W/m². Therefore, good low light behaviour is paramount for outstanding module performance. The same applies to the module temperature. In central Europe, module temperature can easily climb up to more than 40°C. In southern Europe, Africa or the Middle East values can even exceed 60°C. Hence, the temperature coefficient has a big impact on output performance. Hanwha Q.CELLS’ modules take those limiting conditions into account and achieve best values for both factors. Since both, temperature coefficient as well as low light behaviour, are crucial values for any simulation, the PVSol simulation file update will take place within the next three weeks. The new data will not be added at PVSyst until the next revision is carried out by the software developer. However, if you would already like to receive the data and independently load it into your simulation software, please ask us
It’s a worthwhile question, especially since the real performance of a module is strongly linked to two factors: module temperature and irradiance. In real life both factors hardly reach their ideal values of the standard test conditions which are the basis for the measurement of the nominal power. Despite a challenging business year 2012, Hanwha Q.CELLS has continued to further optimise their solar modules’ technology and enhanced the temperature coefficient as well as the low light behaviour. To make the theory work in real life, too – under every climate condition.
The standard test conditions to determine the nominal power of a module are based on an irradiance of 1000 W/m² and a module temperature of 25°C. But do you ever get those ideal conditions in real life? Fact is: The relative module efficiency decreases with lower irradiance as well as with increased module temperature. Generally, even under a clear sunny sky, an irradiance of 1000 W/m² does not occur very often. Even in southern Spain, peaks are below 1000 W/m². Further north, peaks are even lower – sometimes only between 200 and 500 W/m². Therefore, good low light behaviour is paramount for outstanding module performance. The same applies to the module temperature. In central Europe, module temperature can easily climb up to more than 40°C. In southern Europe, Africa or the Middle East values can even exceed 60°C. Hence, the temperature coefficient has a big impact on output performance. Hanwha Q.CELLS’ modules take those limiting conditions into account and achieve best values for both factors. Since both, temperature coefficient as well as low light behaviour, are crucial values for any simulation, the PVSol simulation file update will take place within the next three weeks. The new data will not be added at PVSyst until the next revision is carried out by the software developer. However, if you would already like to receive the data and independently load it into your simulation software, please ask us