Photovoltaic module performance and degradation as compared in distinct climatic regions

Abstract

As photovoltaic companies strive to compete in a global market, it has become clear that different climates require different solutions. Regional factors such as irradiance, temperature, humidity, and dust affect the performance of photovoltaic modules in different ways, and system optimization will vary greatly from region to region. Simply put, a PV system optimized for Tucson, AZ might perform well, while the same system in Berlin could perform poorly. Using a network of properly configured test sites located in different regions, we can learn how environmental factors, mounting platforms, and different technologies will perform in the real world. This paper will summarize the findings of degradation rates and modes, as well as compare the performance of the test modules from region to region over the first year of testing.