Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of High Concentrator Photovoltaics Energy Yield and Performance Ratio

Abstract

The evaluation of the high concentrator photovoltaics (HCPV) power output at regional scale is required to demonstrate the benefits of HCPV systems for utility-scale electricity production. In this context, the spatial and temporal variability of the systems’ energy yield is important. However, assessment methods of the HCPV energy output of complete systems operated under real atmospheric conditions have started to surface only recently. We present the results of an evaluation study of the spatially distributed energy yield of a typical HCPV system in peninsular Spain for the period 2003–2012, using one of such models developed in Southern Spain. Overall, the annual energy yield is relatively homogeneous (≍1800 kWh/kWp), and its standard deviation over the evaluation period and throughout the vast majority of the study region is below 7%. The overall system losses by deviations from the spectrum and cell temperature reference conditions are ≍2.5% and smaller than ≍4%, respectively, on an annual basis. Finally, the use of a single bulk value of performance ratio to evaluate the energy output of HCPV systems from the DNI alone has proven good to within ±2% in Spain, as long as its value is reliable and sufficiently representative of the long-term regional average conditions.