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FSEC
2002
Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
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FSEC
2002
Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays
! Typical PV modules range in size from around 0.5 m
2
to
over 3 m
2
surface area, with peak power output of 50 to
300 watts dc. Area power densities range from 80-120
W/m
2
.
! Most commercially available crystalline and multi-
crystalline PV modules have 36 cells in series, and have
open-circuit voltages of 20-22 volts dc, and designed for
battery charging applications. Most listed modules can
be connected in series up to 600 volts DC.
! Some thin-film modules have open circuit voltages as
high as 100 volts dc, and may use multiple parallel
module connections per source circuit.
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FSEC
2002
Current-Voltage (I-V) Characteristic
! The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic is the basic
descriptor of photovoltaic device performance.
! The I-V characteristic represents an infinite number of
current-voltage (direct-current, DC) operating points, and
varies with solar radiation and cell temperature.
! All listed PV modules are required to have certain
parameters included on module label per NEC.
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FSEC
2002
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
Voltage (V)
x
V
oc
I
sc
V
mp
I
mp
P
mp
PV Module or Array I-V Curve
Power = Current x Voltage
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FSEC
2002
PV Module Performance Parameters
! PV module performance is given by the following
parameters:
" open-circuit voltage (V
oc
)
" short-circuit current (I
sc
)
" maximum power voltage (V
mp
)
" maximum power current (I
mp
)
" maximum power (P
mp
)
" fill factor (ff)
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FSEC
2002
Module Performance Specifications
! Module performance only has meaning when the rating
conditions are specified.
! All PV modules are rated at Standard Test Conditions
(STC)
" Irradiance: 1000 W/sq.m
" Cell temperature: 25 C
! Module IV parameters at STC must be on module listing
label per NEC 690.51.
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FSEC
2002
Standard Test Conditions (STC)
! All PV modules are rated at STC.
" Irradiance: 1000 W/m
2
" Cell temperature: 25
o
C
! Module IV parameters at STC must be on module listing
label per NEC.
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FSEC
2002
Other Module Reference Conditions
! Standard Operating Conditions (SOC)
" Irradiance: 1,000 W/m
2
" Cell temperature: NOCT
! Nominal Operating Conditions (NOC)
" Irradiance: 800 W/m
2
" Cell temperature: NOCT
! Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT)
" Irradiance: 800 W/m
2
" Ambient Temp: 20
o
C
" PV Array: open circuit
" Wind Speed: 1.0 m/s
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FSEC
2002
Effects of STC, SOC and NOC on
Typical IV Curve
Voltage (V)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
STC
SOC
NOC
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FSEC
2002
Response to Electrical Load
! The electrical load connected to a PV device determines
its operating point.
! For example, if a battery is connected to a PV device,
the battery voltage sets the operating voltage for that PV
device.
! In a grid-connected PV system, the inverter loads the PV
array at its maximum power point.
! The electrical load resistance that operates a PV device
at its maximum power point is equal to Vmp/Imp (ohms).
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FSEC
2002
Effect of Resistive Load on PV
Module Operating Point
Voltage
C
u
r
r
e
n
t
Load Lines of
Constant
Resistance
Decreasing load resistance
Increasing load
resistance
Isc: R = 0
Voc: R = infinity
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FSEC
2002
Response to Load:
Example
! Q: The maximum power voltage and maximum power
current for a PV module are 15 volts and 3 amps,
respectively.
! What is its maximum power and what resistive load is
required to operate the PV module at the maximum
power point?
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FSEC
2002
Response to Load:
Example (cont.)
! A: From Ohms Law, the resistance is equal to the
voltage divided by the current:
15 volts / 3 amps = 5 ohms
(R = V / I)
! The power is calculated by the product of the voltage
and current:
15 volts x 3 amps = 45 watts
(P = V x I)
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FSEC
2002
Response to Solar Irradiance
! Changes in irradiance (solar power) significantly affect
the current and power output of a PV device, but have a
much smaller effect on the voltage.
! The fact that the voltage varies little with changing
sunlight levels makes PV devices well-suited for battery
charging applications.
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FSEC
2002
Response to Solar Irradiance
Voltage
C
u
r
r
e
n
t
1000 W/m
2
750 W/m
2
500 W/m
2
250 W/m
2
Current increases with
increasing irradiance
Voltage changes little
with irradiance
Maximum power voltage
changes little with
irradiance
IV Curves at Constant Temperature
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FSEC
2002
Response to Irradiance: Example
! Q: What would the maximum power output be under 600
W/m
2
irradiance for a PV module producing 50 watts
maximum power at 1000 W/m
2
?
! A: Power output is generally proportional to irradiance,
therefore the maximum power at 600 W/m
2
irradiance is:
50 Watts * 600 / 1000 = 30 Watts
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FSEC
2002
Response to Temperature
! Increasing cell temperature results in a significant
decrease in voltage, however current output increases
slightly. For crystalline silicon PV devices:
" Voltage is affected by approx -0.45% per degree C
" Current is affect by approximately +0.1% per degree C
! The net effect for most PV devices is decreasing power
output with increasing cell temperature.
! Higher cell operating temperatures reduce cell output,
efficiency and lifetime. Colder operating environments
result in higher operating voltages.
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FSEC
2002
Response to Temperature
Voltage
C
u
r
r
e
n
t
T = 25
o
C
T = 50
o
C
T = 0
o
C
Increasing temperature
reduces voltage
Increasing temperature
reduces power output
Increasing temperature
increases current
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FSEC
2002
Similar PV Devices in Series
!When similar devices are connected in series,
the voltages add and the current is the same as
one device.
V
series
= V
A
+ V
B
I
series
= I
A
= I
B
Pos (+) (-) (+) Neg (-)
Pos (+)
Neg (-)
A B
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FSEC
2002
I-V Curves for Similar PV Devices in
Series
Voltage (V)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
A, B A + B
V = V
A
+ V
B
I = I
A
= I
B
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FSEC
2002
Similar PV Devices in Parallel
! When similar devices are connected in parallel, the
individual currents add, while the voltage is the same as
for one device.
A
B
Pos (+)
Neg (-)
V
parallel
= V
A
= V
B
I
parallel
= I
A
+ I
B
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FSEC
2002
I-V Curves for Similar PV Devices in
Parallel
V = V
A
= V
B
I = I
A
+ I
B
A, B
Voltage (V)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
A + B
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FSEC
2002
Building a PV Array
! Modules are connected in series and in parallel to obtain
a desired current, voltage and power output of the array.
! First, build series strings to obtain desired system
voltage.
! Next, parallel the number of strings required to achieve
the array current and power output.
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FSEC
2002
Building a PV Array
Voltage (V)
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
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FSEC
2002
PV Module Performance Parameters
C
u
r
r
e
n
t

(
A
)
Voltage (V)
x
V
oc
I
sc
V
mp
I
mp
P
mp
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FSEC
2002
Current Standards Related to
Photovoltaic Modules
! IEEE 1262: Recommended Practice for Qualification of
Photovoltaic (PV) Modules
! UL 1703: Standard for Safety for Flat-Plate Photovoltaic
Modules and Panels
! ASTM E1036/E1036M-96e2: Standard Test Methods for
Electrical Performance of Non-concentrator Terrestrial
Photovoltaic Modules and Arrays Using Reference Cells
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FSEC
2002
PV Module Markings
! 690.51 Modules
" Modules shall be marked with identification of terminals or leads
as to polarity, maximum overcurrent device rating for module
protection, and with the following ratings:
" (1) Open-circuit voltage
" (2) Operating voltage
" (3) Maximum permissible system voltage
" (4) Operating current
" (5) Short-circuit current
" (6) Maximum power
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FSEC
2002
Typical Module Label Required by
National Electrical Code
Siemens Solar Industries
Camarillo, CA 93011
MODEL M55
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE
AT 1000 W/M
2
SOLAR IRRADIANCE
AND 25
o
C CELL TEMPERATURE
30B9 LISTED
MAX. POWER SHORT CKT. RATED
53 WATTS 3.35 A 3.05 A
MAX. SYST. OPEN CKT. V. OPEN CKT. RATED
600 VOLTS 21.7 V 17.4 V
FIRE RATING SERIES FUSE
CLASS C 5 A
FIELD WIRING BYPASS DIODE
COPPER ONLY, 14 AWG MIN. INSTALLATION GUIDE
INSULATED FOR 75 C MIN. 233-701500-20
MADE IN U.S.A.
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FSEC
2002