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Coefficient of performance of mono-and multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels

Bahadori, M. N ; Sharif University of Technology | 2005

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. Publisher: 2005
  3. Abstract:
  4. The coefficient of performance (COP) of a photovoltaic panel or module is defined as the ratio of the total electrical energy produced by the panel during its life to the total energy spent for its manufacture. All processes involved for the manufacture of photovoltaic panels were considered and the energy spent per unit mass of the final product during each process was determined. The total electrical energy spent for the manufacture of a photovoltaic module of 1×0.5 m dimensions, employing 340 micron wafers, with the net wafer area of 0.36 m2, was then determined. Monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon cells were employed. It was found that for the manufacture of the PV module employing monocrystalline silicon cell a total of 2117 MJ, and for the module employing multicrystalline silicon cell a total of 1769 MJ of electrical energy-is spent. The total electrical energy produced by the PV module during a life-time of 20 years was estimated, employing the solar radiation data of Tehran, Iran, with a latitude of 35.5 degrees North. The PV module was assumed to be facing directly south with its slope adjusted each month in order to maximize the solar radiation received. Constant conversion efficiency was considered for the entire period of the module operation. For the PV module employing monocrystalline silicon cells with a constant conversion efficiency of 14% a COP of 3.45 was found. For the same module employing multicrystalline silicon cells of 12% efficiency, the coefficient of performance was determined to be 3.54. It is concluded that the silicon photovoltaic panels employed in a climate similar to that of Tehran can pay back the energy spent for their manufacture in a period of slightly over five years
  5. Keywords:
  6. Coefficient of Performance ; Electrical energy ; Life-times ; Monocrystalline ; Multi-crystalline silicon ; Per unit ; Photovoltaic modules ; Photovoltaic panels ; PV modules ; Silicon photovoltaic ; Solar radiation data ; Tehran , Iran ; Total energy ; Conversion efficiency ; Monocrystalline silicon ; Photovoltaic cells ; Polysilicon ; Silicon wafers ; Solar cells ; Solar radiation ; Sun ; Manufacture
  7. Source: Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference, Orlando, FL, 6 August 2005 through 12 August 2005 ; Volume 2 , 2005 , Pages 1045-1050 ; 9781622762637 (ISBN)