University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Doctoral Thesis:
Giorgio Belluardo
(2016):
SPECTRAL SIMULATION TOOLS AS VALID INSTRUMENTS TO DETERMINE SPECTRAL EFFECTS
ON PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.
Doctoral Thesis - Institut für Meteorologie (BOKU-Met),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 97.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- The spectrum of incoming sunlight affects the generation of current and the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The magnitude of these spectral effects depends upon the PV technology and the characteristics and variability of the solar spectrum in a specific location. The present doctoral work focuses on the development of a novel methodology to evaluate the spectral effects in PV systems, in order to increase the accuracy of the estimation of the performance loss that occurs during their lifetime. This novel methodology can involve simulated solar spectra. In fact, the use of radiative transfer models (RTM) to simulate spectral irradiance is increasing. This study also attempts to deepen knowledge in the use of these simulation tools. On the one hand, an evaluation is made of how the use of different RTM and of different sources of input parameters affects the simulation results. On the other, a systematic and rigorous analysis of RTM uncertainty is carried out using the Monte Carlo statistical technique. Summarizing the results, it can be stated that spectral simulation tools are a good and reliable alternative to spectral measurements when the input parameters fed into the model are measured, or retrieved from satellite with high temporal frequency and spatial resolution. They can be therefore used in the PV sector to detect and evaluate spectral effects on existing or planned PV systems. In particular, it is demonstrated that a method for the estimation of the performance loss rates that takes spectral effects into account represents an improvement compared to other common methodologies, especially for crystalline-silicon based technologies. The present study contributes to evaluate and reduce uncertainty in the estimation of the solar radiation available for conversion into electricity, and of the performance losses of PV systems. This is in turn beneficial for the entire PV value chain and, in the last instance, for the bankability of PV projects.
- Betreuer: Weihs Philipp
- 1. Berater: Mursch-Radlgruber Erich