pv magazine test – March 2019 results

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Yield data from October 2018 to March 2019 are in the table below. The second graph to the right shows the total energy yield for March. A new half-cut mono PERC module from Risen (RSM120-6-320M) was installed on March 1.

The bifacial boost for March 2019 was 5.6%. Since we have now had three bifacial products installed for several months, we decided to take a deeper look at the bifacial boost data for the past three months, that is, the extra energy yield of the bifacial products compared with the average of all monofacial products. The third chart to the right shows the boost from two mono PERC products and one n-PERT product. February saw an abnormally high bifacial boost due to snow coverage.

Characterizing performance

The three bifacial products have very different performance, with Longi leading the pack, NSP in the middle, and Jolywood trailing. Obviously, not all bifacial products have the same performance in the field. The test’s definition of bifacial boost is not the one normally used, where a bifacial product is compared with a monofacial product utilizing the same cell technology and under the same conditions. In our case, the boost is relative to the average of all monofacial products, and includes any front side advantages.

Comparing the NSP product with the one from Longi, we observe its lower bifaciality ratio, better low irradiance behavior, and worse temperature coefficient. Assuming the bifaciality ratio has higher impact on performance and that the other factors cancel out, the boost difference might be explained. Regarding the Jolywood product, though it has the highest bifaciality ratio of all, and very good low light and temperature coefficient characteristics, it also has the lowest boost. We need to analyze more data and conduct further investigation to assess the root causes of the differences in bifacial boost among these products.

The graph to the bottom right shows the comparison between different technologies. Bifacial modules are steadily performing above the average yield level, with multi c-Si PV performing below the average. George Touloupas

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Product

Type

Total Oct 2018 Wh/Wp

Total Nov 2018 Wh/Wp

Total Dec 2018 Wh/Wp

Total Jan 2019 Wh/Wp

Total Feb 2019 Wh/Wp

Total Mar 2019 Wh/Wp

Oct 2018 rank

Nov 2018 rank

Dec 2018 rank

Jan 2019 rank

Feb 2019 rank

Mar 2019 rank

18

LONGi LR6-60BP-300M

Bifacial Mono PERC

78.74

68.82

68.07

81.23

142.28

1

1

1

1

1

17

NSP D6L310L3A

Bifacial Mono PERC

128.10

76.51

67.05

66.96

78.91

138.37

1

3

2

2

2

2

1

Jolywood JW-D60N-305

Bifacial N-PERT

127.00

75.44

66.68

65.98

78.22

137.05

2

5

4

4

3

3

16

LONGi LR6-60PE-310M 2

Mono PERC

125.30

76.57

67.05

66.40

76.43

135.64

4

2

3

3

4

4

7

LONGi LR6-60PE-310M 1

Mono PERC

125.40

75.57

66.24

65.58

75.79

134.69

3

4

5

5

5

5

20

Phono PS380MH-24/TH

Mono PERC

65.10

64.66

74.38

132.18

10

11

10

6

14

Sample 2

Mono PERC

121.70

73.92

65.12

64.79

74.50

132.00

9

8

9

8

8

7

12

NSP D6LM305E3A

Mono PERC

120.30

72.17

63.80

63.79

74.54

131.73

13

14

14

14

7

8

10

Recom RCM-275-6MB-4-BB21

Mono

123.30

74.09

65.31

65.06

74.62

131.72

6

7

6

7

6

9

8

Aiduo AD280-60S

Mono

121.50

74.13

65.04

64.69

74.18

131.71

10

6

11

10

11

10

4

Perlight PLM-300M-60

Mono PERC

122.40

73.68

65.14

65.15

74.48

131.60

8

9

8

6

9

11

21

Risen RSM120-6-320M

Mono PERC

131.52

12

2

Phono MWT-60-280

Multi MWT

123.60

73.15

63.52

62.76

72.64

131.19

5

11

15

15

14

13

3

Risen RSM60-6-270P

Multi

122.90

73.28

63.99

64.02

72.61

131.11

7

10

13

13

15

14

9

Aiduo AD265-60P

Multi

120.80

73.10

64.29

64.06

73.55

130.36

11

13

12

12

13

15

13

Sample 1

Mono

120.30

73.12

65.26

64.76

73.62

128.56

12

12

7

9

12

16

Test cooperation

pv magazine test is a cooperation involving pv magazine, CEA and Gsolar. All testing procedures are carried out at Gsolar’s test laboratory in Xi’an, China. CEA supervises these tests and designed both the indoor and outdoor testing procedures.

Notes on the energy yield measurements:

  • The energy yield is given in Wh/Wp and calculated by dividing the energy produced by the module by the Pmax at STC of the module. This Pmax is the maximum STC power after a process of stabilization.
  • The results are grouped in categories, per module type.
  • The bifacial boost depends on many parameters: the bifaciality factor, the installation geometry, the albedo of the ground, and also the sun angle and diffuse irradiance. The ground in this case is a plastic cover simulating green grass.

 

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