Assessing the combined effects of local climate and mounting configuration on the electrical and thermal performance of photovoltaic systems. Application to the greater Sydney area

Alessia Boccalatte, Martin Thebault, Riccardo Paolini, Marco Fossa, Julien Ramousse, Christophe Ménézo and Mattheos Santamouris

Renewable Energy, 2023, vol. 219, issue P1

Abstract: Extremely high urban temperatures adversely affect photovoltaic (PV) system performance. Accurate PV cell temperature assessment relies on local weather conditions, exacerbated by urban overheating, often overlooked by inadequate temperature models and non-local data. This study investigates the electrical and thermal PV performance, considering mounting configurations and local conditions. Data from ten weather stations in Greater Sydney (NSW) during 2016–2017, including a hot summer, are used. The Sandia model is used to predict cell temperatures and power output for four mounting configurations, from open rack to building-integrated (BIPV). A PV thermal model is implemented to analyse daytime convection, crucial for understanding PV impact on local climate. Results show peak cell temperatures of 60 °C (open rack) to over 90 °C (BIPV), causing up to 50% power loss and 11% reduction in monthly performance ratio. Local climate variations impact PV energy output up to 6%, with mounting configuration effects up to 11%. Daytime convective flux averages 150–180 W/m2, peaking at 700 W/m2. Convective release varies up to 22% based on local climate, generally higher for open rack than close roof mounts, with potential reversals under low wind speed conditions. These findings can improve the knowledge of PV performances in urban areas facing extreme temperatures.

Keywords: Urban overheating; Photovoltaic (PV) system performance; Mounting configurations; Daytime convective flux (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:219:y:2023:i:p1:s0960148123013939

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119478

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