Generalized capacity factors for grid-intertie solar photovoltaic systems

✍ Scribed by J.M. Gordon; T.A. Reddy

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1988
• Weight: 497 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0379-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/0379-6787(88)90094-4

✦ Synopsis

We present a simple calculation and graphical procedure for direct determination of the annual capacity factor of no-storage grid-intertie photovoltaic systems. This is applicable to the principal solar collector types and to a wide range of climates. This method provides "translation equations" for predicting both instantaneous power output {under any specified test conditions) and long-term average power output of photovoltaic modules from instantaneous measurements. Such a procedure, which we validate for one site only, should enable a designer to make accurate preliminary assessments concerning the suitability of potential sites and solar collector types by simple analytic calculations or, equivalently, by reading points off the graphs presented herein.