Performance evaluation of various photovoltaic modules in hot and arid environment

The present paper reports the results of a simplified method for evaluating the performance of selected photovoltaic (PV) modules in use in Saudi Arabia and makes a comparative assessment at standard reporting conditions. Experimental results, normalized to standard reporting conditions using the two-axis translation I-V model have revealed that all PV module parameters, except Isc, decreased during the period the modules were exposed to outdoor environment. It was also found that the solar cell temperature, inside the module, differs for the back of module temperature by about 6%. Moreover, the difference between back of module and front of module temperatures is almost constant for moderate values of wind speed. The measured PV module parameters were found to differ from manufacturer's specified values yielding a decrease in efficiency of 5.73% to 19.8% depending on the make of the module