Real-time and modelled performance assessment and validation studies of PV modules operating in varied climatic zones

Abstract

With the increasing adoption of solar energy as a sustainable power source, it is crucial to evaluate the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules under diverse environmental conditions to ensure optimal energy production and system efficiency. Present work gives a comprehensive overview of performance assessment and validation studies conducted on different PV module technologies such as multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), amorphous silicon (a-Si), heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) and interdigitated back contact (IBC) operating under varied climatic conditions at different locations in India. To ensure accuracy and reliability, rigorous data collection and analysis methodologies were employed. The performance assessment has been computed through simulation using PVSOL software. Moreover, the performance ratio (PR) of all the PV module technologies was found to vary from 0.76 to 1.04. The present work validates the efficacy of the software as we have compared the computed results with real-time data obtained for all the PV modules, which were installed at NISE (National Institute of Solar Energy), Gurugram India. The performance ratio of all the PV module technologies has been evaluated through both the PVSOL and using real time data. The results show that the mean percentage change in PR values has been estimated approximately to be 2% in CdTe, CIGS, and a-Si modules technologies and 3% in mc-Si, HIT and IBC module technologies.