The Defining Positive Role of High Cell Temperature on the Efficiency of a Multicrystalline Solar Photovoltaic Array

Abstract

The progress in solar photovoltaic cell technology has led to development of several different types of cell varying widely in efficiency, performance and cost but still multicrystalline cell is the most widely used commercial cell. The maximum laboratory efficiency of multicrystalline cell is about 22% which is hardly attainable in field due to entirely different and variable climatic conditions. Increasing the efficiency in real field conditions is one of the greatest challenges of solar photovoltaics. Evaluating effect of major climatic parameters on the efficiency in the real field conditions can pave the way for increasing the efficiency of solar photovoltaic power plants. This paper evaluates the relative effect and role of irradiance and cell temperature acting simultaneously on solar cell conversion efficiency and DC power efficiency of a multicrystalline photovoltaic array for the climatic conditions of Western Rajasthan. It brings forward for the first time ever the defining positive role of cell temperature on the solar cell conversion efficiency and DC power efficiency of a multicrystalline photovoltaic array in contrast to literature and research papers all which show efficiency decreases with increase in temperature.