Towards More Sustainable Photovoltaic Systems: Enhanced Open-Circuit Voltage Prediction with a New Extreme Meteorological Year Model

Carlos Sanchís-Gómez, Jorge Aleix-Moreno, Carlos Vargas-Salgado () and David Alfonso-Solar
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Carlos Sanchís-Gómez: Departamento de Ingeniería de Grupotec Renovables, Grupotec Servicios Avanzados SA, 46011 Valencia, Spain
Jorge Aleix-Moreno: Departamento de Ingeniería de Grupotec Renovables, Grupotec Servicios Avanzados SA, 46011 Valencia, Spain
Carlos Vargas-Salgado: Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería Energética, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
David Alfonso-Solar: Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería Energética, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-28

Abstract: Accurate prediction of maximum voltage is essential for the safe, efficient, and sustainable design of photovoltaic systems, as it defines the maximum allowable number of modules in series. This study examines how the choice of meteorological year affects voltage estimations in high-power PV systems. A comparison is made between maximum voltage results derived from typical meteorological (TMY) years and those based on inter-hourly historical data. The results reveal notable differences, with TMY often underestimating extreme voltage levels. To address this, the study introduces the Extreme Meteorological Year (EMY) model, which uses historical voltage percentiles to better estimate peak voltages and mitigate overvoltage risk. This model has been applied successfully in real PV plant designs. Its performance is assessed using monitoring data from seven PV projects in different regions. The EMY model demonstrates improved accuracy and safety in predicting maximum voltages compared to traditional datasets. Its percentile-based structure enables adaptation to different design criteria, enhancing reliability and supporting more sustainable photovoltaic deployment. Overall, the study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate meteorological data for voltage prediction and presents EMY as a robust tool for improving PV system design.

Keywords: meteorological year; open-circuit voltage; PV system; overvoltage risk; string size; sustainable energy systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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