Solar support recommendation evaluation report

What do s takeholders want from solar energy systems?

S takeholders of existing photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems are typically interested in system performance for operation and maintenance planning, commissioning, performance guarantees and for making investment decisions.

Why do we need a performance guarantee for a large photovoltaic system?

Documentation of the energy yield of a large photovoltaic (PV) system over a substantial period can be useful to measure a performance guarantee, as an assessment of the health of the system, for verification of a performance model to then be applied to a new system, or for a variety of other purposes.

What is FEMP's solar PV performance initiative?

Results are based on production data collected from these systems, provided by federal agencies participating in the FEMP’s Solar PV Performance Initiative. Production data was combined with coincident insolation and ambient temperature to analyze how actual performance compares with a performance model.

How does NREL measure PV system performance?

NREL used the PV system characteristics and weather data to model estimated performance using SAM, and then compared modeled generation to measured generation. Inputs to SAM are chosen strategically to include the effect of some losses and isolate other losses in the measurement of performance.

What should be included in a calibration report?

The report must document (a) the rationale for determining that the other measurements are representative and (b) the uncertainty associated with this substitution. Out-of-range data and poor data that result from equipment malfunction (e.g., drift out of calibration, tracker dysfunction, etc.) will be treated as described previously.

What is a good PV performance ratio?

Performance ratio ranges from 46% to 105% with an average of 78.6% and a median of 79% (Table 6). A performance ratio greater than 100% is unusual, but not impossible if the losses in the actual PV system are less than the losses in the model of the system, or if measures, such as overbuild of the array, have been taken to compensate for losses.