PV-Enerate – Advanced PV Energy Rating

Currently, photovoltaic (PV) modules used to generate solar energy are sold on the basis of power produced under standard test conditions. However, these test conditions do not always reflect the real-world conditions in which PV modules will be operating. This impedes the uptake of emerging and innovative technologies, such as modules optimised for specific climates. An alternative is to value PV according to an energy rating metric that takes into account real-world factors.

This project will use results from ENG55 PhotoClass to support the adoption of this metric by improving PV energy rating standards, measurement equipment and methodologies to enable precise measurements of the parameters required for the energy rating. Adopting such a metric better aligns the interests of the manufacturer and customer, provides a fairer comparison between different PV technologies, and improves the accuracy of financial models. This will accelerate time-to-market for emerging PV technologies, which have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of solar energy.

The aim of this project is to extend the metric for an energy-based photovoltaic classification to roof-mounted photovoltaics as well as to the fast-growing fields of bifacial and building-integrated photovoltaics.