Spatial variations in temperature across a photovoltaic array

The efficiency of any photovoltaic device is significantly affected by its operating temperature. It is therefore of great interest to the PV industry to have accurate models of module and array temperatures. Existing PV performance models generally assume that module temperature is a function of plane-of-array irradiance, ambient air temperature and wind speed AND that module temperatures across the array do not vary significantly enough to define. A comparison of two identical PV systems in different climates reveals that module temperatures across the array may in fact vary by several degrees based on the location relative to one another. This study describes the observed thermal patterns and evaluates the possible causes of these systematic variations. The following paper will present analysis of data gathered from two PV systems with identical setups located in Albuquerque NM and Orlando, Florida.