In case you haven’t heard we’re inching toward a record heatwave summer. With that comes warnings of blackouts and calls to conserve energy. In essence, the fodder of the solar power industry, the need for an energy source that supplements the current infrastructure; demand response energy, but what about efficiency during those high heat high demand days?
Unbeknownst to most people is that solar panel output is reduced at high temperatures, and over extended periods can lead to premature degradation. While the current increases the overall performance of the system decreases.
The standard Temperatue-rise coefficient for Solar Farms, where the rear of the panels are open and exposed to wind, is a 20 degree rise, while panel mounted on a roof are said to see at least a 45 degree rise in cell temperature. The temperature translation for a 45 degree rise is a 10% reduction in voltage produced.
Read this article on Solar Panel efficiency utilizing heat.
Also: Photovoltaic Efficiency: The Temperature Effect PDF
Also: Enhancing the performance of photovoltaic panels by water cooling PDF