Abstract
We present a geographical assessment of the performance of crystalline
silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules over Europe. We have developed
a method that is based on a material specific analytical expression
of the PV conversion efficiency, relative to nominal efficiency,
as a function of module temperature and irradiance. This method is
combined with a climate database that includes average daytime temperature
and irradiance profiles. It is found that the geographical variation
in ambient temperature and yearly irradiation causes a decrease in
overall yearly PV performance from 3 to 13% relative to the performance
under Standard Test Conditions, with the highest decrease found in
the Mediterranean region. Based on the above results we developed
a simplified linear expression of the relative PV module efficiency
that is a simple function of yearly total irradiation and yearly
average daytime temperature. The coefficients to the linear expression
are found by fitting to the map resulting from the above-mentioned
analytical approach. The prediction of total yearly PV output from
this linear fit deviates less than 0 5% from the more detailed calculation,
thus providing a faster and more simplified alternative to the yield
estimate, in the case when only limited climate data are available
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