Solar Cells Above the Arctic Circle - Measuring Characteristics of Solar Panels under Real Operating Conditions

• Main Authors: Good, C., Persson, H., Kleven, Ø, Sulkowski, W., Ellingsen, K., Boström, T.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: WIP-Munich 2009
• Subjects: PV Systems; PV Power Plants; Arctic; Narvik; Norway; Northern Norway
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.4229/24theupvsec2009-5bv.2.22; http://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=5125

24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, 21-25 September 2009, Hamburg, Germany; 4094-4098 : This paper describes the setup of a testing stand for PV modules including a two-axis solar tracker, weather station and sensors to monitor both panel performance and the surrounding. The location is Narvik in Northern Norway, which means that the system will be subjected to extreme shifts in weather and solar irradiation. The objective of the outdoor PV lab is to monitor the performance and of the panels under real operating conditions for an extended time period. It will as well be used for testing, demonstration, education purposes, and to show that there is potential in the use of solar energy at northern latitudes.