Solar cell junction temperature measurement of PV module

Type
Article

Authors
Huang, B.J.
Yang, P.E.
Lin, Y.P.
Lin, B.Y.
Chen, H.J.
Lai, R.C.
Cheng, J.S.

KAUST Grant Number
KUK-C1-014-12

Date
2011-02

Abstract
The present study develops a simple non-destructive method to measure the solar cell junction temperature of PV module. The PV module was put in the environmental chamber with precise temperature control to keep the solar PV module as well as the cell junction in thermal equilibrium with the chamber. The open-circuit voltage of PV module Voc is then measured using a short pulse of solar irradiation provided by a solar simulator. Repeating the measurements at different environment temperature (40-80°C) and solar irradiation S (200-1000W/m2), the correlation between the open-circuit voltage Voc, the junction temperature Tj, and solar irradiation S is derived.The fundamental correlation of the PV module is utilized for on-site monitoring of solar cell junction temperature using the measured Voc and S at a short time instant with open circuit. The junction temperature Tj is then determined using the measured S and Voc through the fundamental correlation. The outdoor test results show that the junction temperature measured using the present method, Tjo, is more accurate. The maximum error using the average surface temperature Tave as the junction temperature is 4.8 °C underestimation; while the maximum error using the present method is 1.3 °C underestimation. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Citation
Huang BJ, Yang PE, Lin YP, Lin BY, Chen HJ, et al. (2011) Solar cell junction temperature measurement of PV module. Solar Energy 85: 388–392. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.11.006.

Acknowledgements
This publication is based in part on work supported by Photovoltaic Technology Center, ITRI, Taiwan, and Award No. KUK-C1-014-12, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.

Publisher
Elsevier BV

Journal
Solar Energy

DOI
10.1016/j.solener.2010.11.006

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