The Temperature Effect
A 2.4-kW photovoltaic system installed and working perfectly at 11,000 feet elevation, Aspen Mountain Resort, CO.Copyright US Department of Energy https://www.eere-pmc.energy.gov/PMC_News/PMC_News_12-07.aspx
Students explore how the efficiency of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel is affected by the ambient temperature. They learn how engineers predict the power output of a PV panel at different temperatures and examine some real-world engineering applications used to control the temperature of PV panels.
Because the current and voltage output of a PV panel is affected by changing weather conditions, it is important to characterize the response of the system to these changes so the equipment associated with the PV panel can be sized appropriately. The average operating voltage and current of a PV system is important to consider for safety concerns, equipment capabilities and choices, and minimizing the amount of wire required for construction. Using weather data, including historical temperature and solar irradiation information, engineers estimate how much energy a PV power plant might generate over its lifetime using the techniques described in this lesson.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe the effect that different temperatures have on the efficiency of PV panels.
- Explain how engineers might attempt to control the temperature of solar PV panels.