Extended Energy Rating of Photovoltaic Modules by Outdoor Measurements and Uncertainty Assessment

To calculate the Climate Specific Energy Rating (CSER) according to IEC 61853 parts 1-4, it is essential to perform a series of PV module characterization procedures under non-STC conditions, enabling a more accurate assessment of performance in real-world environments. Parts 1 and 2 of the standard allow for the characterization of PV modules using either indoor or outdoor methods. This study focuses on validating outdoor procedures, specifically those related to the calculation of the power matrix and thermal coefficients. Our approach includes an uncertainty analysis, demonstrating that the inclusion of additional outdoor measurements in the methodology results in energy ratings that remain within the expected uncertainty range. The sensitivity analysis was performed on different monocrystalline silicon PV modules, comparing CSER outcomes based on indoor versus outdoor-generated input values for a specific location in Freiburg, Germany. Our findings suggest that alternative methods for applying the standard can be both economically advantageous and supportive of accurate performance evaluations, particularly for emerging cell technologies that may benefit from outdoor characterization.