The precision of solar photovoltaic power measurements doubled

22-Sep-2015 - Italy

An analysis carried out by JRC scientists shows that the uncertainty in measurement of power generation from a photovoltaic (PV) cell can be more than halved, thus bringing an economic benefit to both manufacturers and investors. With the annual world PV production exceeding 40 GW in 2014 and a market value of over €25bn, this is good news for customers, utilities, the production industry and future R&D efforts in the field of renewable energy.

In simple terms photovoltaic solar panels are bought and sold on the basis of their maximum power output. Manufacturers include a margin on this value to allow for small variations in manufacturing and measurement. The possibility to tighten this margin (typically few percent) brings an economic benefit to them and to investors. On the R&D side, reducing uncertainty increases the possibility to clearly identify the impact of new materials and processes. For these measurements both industry and the photovoltaics research community rely on a calibration chain ultimately traceable to the SI (Système International d'Unités) irradiance scale. For instance the JRC has traditionally calibrated its primary reference devices against the instrument group maintained at the world radiometric centre (WRC) in Davos, Switzerland.

Recent updates to the world radiometric reference values to take account of improved instrumentation prompted scientists at the JRC's European Solar Testing Installation (ESTI) labs to re-analyse the data of their five primary reference cells (highly stable crystalline silicon devices). Using a rigorous analysis of the uncertainties resulted in the more accurate assignment of calibration values. The uncertainty of 0.23% is a factor of two below that of any single method. The unique ESTI reference cell set made this possible, drawing from its 20 years of calibration history, well controlled maintenance and regular stability checks, as well as collaboration with the world leading solar reference laboratories in Japan, USA and Europe.

The results open the way to cheaper and faster calibration of secondary reference devices for industry and research to the same level or even lower uncertainty.

Original publication

Other news from the department science

Most read news

More news from our other portals

Last viewed contents

Researchers proposed an attractive cheap organic material for batteries - New molecular design principle for battery polyimides

Researchers proposed an attractive cheap organic material for batteries - New molecular design principle for battery polyimides

Salt boosts creation of 2-D materials

Salt boosts creation of 2-D materials

Creating invisibility with superconducting materials - Invisibility devices may soon no longer be the stuff of science fiction

Creating invisibility with superconducting materials - Invisibility devices may soon no longer be the stuff of science fiction

FAPLISA - Fabricación y Aplicación de Pinturas Especiales, S.A. - Fuenlabrada, Spain

FAPLISA - Fabricación y Aplicación de Pinturas Especiales, S.A. - Fuenlabrada, Spain

Calculating the "fingerprints" of molecules with artificial intelligence

Calculating the "fingerprints" of molecules with artificial intelligence

Formula to improve 'plastic' semiconductors - A better understanding of the conductive properties of flexible semiconductors will aid in the development of bendable electronics

Formula to improve 'plastic' semiconductors - A better understanding of the conductive properties of flexible semiconductors will aid in the development of bendable electronics

Variolytics receives seven-figure seed funding for climate-neutral wastewater treatment plants - Proprietary measurement technology and AI-based process control to avoid greenhouse gases in wastewater treatment

Variolytics receives seven-figure seed funding for climate-neutral wastewater treatment plants - Proprietary measurement technology and AI-based process control to avoid greenhouse gases in wastewater treatment

Solar cell material can assist self-driving cars in the dark

Solar cell material can assist self-driving cars in the dark

Methane emissions from landfill could be turned into sustainable jet fuel in plasma chemistry leap - New research could help create a circular economy for waste-generated greenhouse gas emissions

Methane emissions from landfill could be turned into sustainable jet fuel in plasma chemistry leap - New research could help create a circular economy for waste-generated greenhouse gas emissions

Creating value from waste - EU Project Circular Flooring turns post-consumer PVC flooring into plasticiser-free recyclates

Creating value from waste - EU Project Circular Flooring turns post-consumer PVC flooring into plasticiser-free recyclates

Surprise! Weaker bonds can make polymers stronger - By adding weak linkers to a polymer network, chemists dramatically enhanced the material’s resistance to tearing

Surprise! Weaker bonds can make polymers stronger - By adding weak linkers to a polymer network, chemists dramatically enhanced the material’s resistance to tearing