This report outlines lessons learnt from UNSW’s Reduced Solar Module Temperature project, which aims to demonstrate methods to change solar panel design to lower operating temperatures in the field. Lower operating temperatures will lead to increased power output and improve system lifetime.
Report extract
Under bright sunshine, solar panels typically operate 30°C above ambient temperature when rack-mounted in the field and an additional 10-15°C hotter when roof-mounted. Not only does this reduce peak power output by 15-20% below rated performance, but it also accelerates all chemical degradation processes within the panel and shortens its operating life.
This project targets improved solar panel design to lower the operating temperatures in the field, leading to higher efficiency, and increased energy production.
