Assessing the Impact of Solar Spectral Variability on the Performance of Photovoltaic Technologies Across European Climates

Ivan Bevanda, Petar Marić, Ante Kristić and Tihomir Betti ()
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Ivan Bevanda: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Computing and Electrical Engineering, University of Mostar, Matice hrvatske b.b., 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Petar Marić: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Computing and Electrical Engineering, University of Mostar, Matice hrvatske b.b., 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ante Kristić: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 32, 21 000 Split, Croatia
Tihomir Betti: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 32, 21 000 Split, Croatia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-24

Abstract: Precise photovoltaic (PV) performance modeling is essential for optimizing system design, operational monitoring, and reliable power forecasting—yet spectral correction is often overlooked, despite its significant impact on energy yield uncertainty. This study employs the FARMS-NIT model to assess the impact of spectral irradiance on eight PV technologies across 79 European sites, grouped by Köppen–Geiger climate classification. Unlike previous studies limited to clear-sky or single-site analysis, this work integrates satellite-derived spectral data for both all-sky and clear-sky scenarios, enabling hourly, tilt-optimized simulations that reflect real-world operating conditions. Spectral analyses reveal European climates exhibit blue-shifted spectra versus AM1.5 reference, only 2–5% resembling standard conditions. Thin-film technologies demonstrate superior spectral gains under all-sky conditions, though the underlying drivers vary significantly across climatic regions—a distinction that becomes particularly evident in the clear-sky analysis. Crystalline silicon exhibits minimal spectral sensitivity (<1.6% variations), with PERC/PERT providing highest stability. CZTSSe shows latitude-dependent performance with ≤0.7% variation: small gains at high latitudes and losses at low latitudes. Atmospheric parameters were analyzed in detail, revealing that air mass (AM), clearness index (K t ), precipitable water (W), and aerosol optical depth (AOD) play key roles in shaping spectral effects, with different parameters dominating in distinct climate groups.

Keywords: spectral irradiance; photovoltaic performance; PV modeling; FARMS-NIT; spectral effects; crystalline silicon; thin-film (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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