Cell-to-module Analysis beyond Standard Test Conditions

Cell-to-module analysis has been an invaluable tool in photovoltaic module design and technology evaluation in the past. Analysis and prediction of module power and efficiency at standard test conditions, and comparing losses and gains between module setups provides a means of virtual prototyping and enables digital module optimization. This toolset has been expanded beyond standard test conditions, to include realistic illumination and ambient conditions. Models are developed to account for these parameters. Additional loss and gain factors are introduced to account for performance changes on the cell level and to attribute changes to different operation parameters.