Solar Panel Efficiency With Temperature

The energy production efficiency of solar panels drops when the panel reaches hot temperatures.

Solar panel efficiency with temperature.

Temperature has an effect the efficiency and maximum pv output of a solar panel. The temperature coefficient tells us the rate of how much will solar panel efficiency drop when the temperature will rise by one degree celsius 33 8 f. Photovoltaic modules are tested at a temperature of 25 degrees c stc about 77 degrees f and depending on their installed location heat can reduce output efficiency by 10 25. For example when the temperature coefficient is minus 0 5 percent it means that efficiency decreases by 0 5 percent for every degree above 25 c or every 33 8 degrees above 77 f.

It may seem counter intuitive but solar panel efficiency is affected negatively by temperature increases. However solar panels can get as hot as 65 c 149 f at which point solar cell efficiency will be hindered. The efficiency of the solar cells used in a photovoltaic system in combination with latitude and climate determines the annual energy output of the system for example a solar panel with 20 efficiency and an area of 1 m 2 will produce 200. The effect of temperature on solar panel performance.

Within the scope of the solar panel s temperature coefficient the primary way to mitigate loss in efficiency is through the reduction in the temperature of your solar panels. The effect of high temperatures. Based on its efficiency a solar panel has a maximum amount of energy that it is able to produce 1. Efficiency max current x max voltage input power from the sun not to get into the calculations too much but when your solar panels are exposed to a higher temperature the current will increase while the voltage will decrease.

Here are some of the factors that influence the panel s temperature. Home solar panels are tested at 25 c 77 f and thus solar panel temperature will generally range between 15 c and 35 c during which solar cells will produce at maximum efficiency. A field experiment in the united kingdom revealed a drop of 1 1 of. Total panel efficiency is measured under standard test conditions stc based on a cell temperature of 25 c solar irradiance of 1000w m2 and air mass of 1 5.

Thus in contrast to the popular belief your solar panel produces optimum energy output on a sunny winter morning rather than on the hottest day in the summer. Suppose your solar panel has a rating temperature coefficient rating as 0 5 then for every one degree rise in the temperature the solar panel efficiency decreases by 0 5. The type of solar panel installation has a direct effect on the panel s temperature.