Energy prediction using NOCT-BASED photovoltaic reference condition

This paper examines critically the energy prediction ability of rating conditions based on Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT), and presents two approaches are presented to finetuning this rating system for site-specific ambient temperature and I-V fill-factor. One modification provides site-specific rating conditions (irradiance and air temperature) and the other provides site ambient temperature and fill-factor based corrections to the standard NOCT-based (80 mW/cm/sup 2/, 20/sup 0/C ambient temperature) power output rating. The study results indicate that the standard NOCT-based power rating provides good energy prediction ability for sites with moderate climates. The modifications provide two approaches for highaccuracy fine tuning of the energy prediction for any site and fill-factor, based on readily available weather-atlas parameters.