Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT): Effects of module size, loading and solar spectrum

NOCT (Nominal Operating Cell Temperature) is defined as the cell temperature within an open-rack mounted (45° from horizontal) module in the following conditions: ➢ total irradiance: 800 W□m⁻² ➢ ambient temperature: 20°C ➢ wind speed: 1 m□s⁻¹ ➢ electrical load: open circuit This paper investigates if: • the NOCT value remains the same irrespective of module size; • the NOCT value remains the same irrespective of electrical loading configuration (short-circuit,open-circuit or resistive load) • the NOCT value remains the same irrespective of type of irradiance sensor used (pyranometer or reference cell) • the low energy infrared photons of sunlight contribute to NOCT