The Panel Generation factor (PGF) – proof Nov.

10, 2017

Approximate sizing of photovoltaic arrays

The Panel Generation Factor (PGF) – proof
By
Prof. Dr. Mohamed EL-Shimy (http://shimymb.tripod.com)

If the temperature effect is neglected (or combined in the derating factor), the
instantaneous output power of a solar-PV generator is then reduced to1:

where
t is the time step Sec to
month
YPV is the rated capacity of the solar-PV array, meaning its power output under W or kW
standard test conditions2 .
fPV is the solar-PV generator derating factor3. %
is the solar radiation incident on the solar -PV array4 in the current time kW/m2
step.
is the incident radiation at standard test conditions 1.0 kW/m2

Daily solar irradiance for a given month based on monthly average hourly radiations

1
IEC 61724:1998 - Photovoltaic system performance monitoring - Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and
analysis. Available at: https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/5733, access date 18.7.2016
2
Solar-PV manufacturers rate the power output of their solar-PV modules at standard test conditions (STC),
meaning a radiation of 1 kW/m2, a cell temperature of 25°C, and no wind. Standard test conditions do not reflect
typical operating conditions, since full-sun cell temperatures tend to be much higher than 25°C.
3
The solar-PV derating factor is a scaling factor that applies to the Solar-PV array power output to account for
reduced output in real-world operating conditions compared to the conditions under which the solar -PV panel
was rated. Use the derating factor to account for such factors as soiling of the panels, wiring losses, shading,
snow cover, aging, and so on. If you choose not to explicitly model the effect of temperature on the solar -PV
array, then you should also include temperature-related effects in the derating factor. For example if the derating
factor equals to 90% then the amount of miscellaneous losses of 10%.
4
This value of solar radiation includes the effect of tilt or sun tracking on the solar irradiance at the surface of
the solar -PV module.

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 The Panel Generation factor (PGF) – proof Nov. 10, 2017

where k is the index of the month; k = 1 to 12

The minimum daily energy production based on monthly average hourly radiations ( )
can be described by

This value should equals to the daily energy demand on the PV generator ( ) i.e.

Hence,

The Panel Generation factor (PGF) is defined as

Therefore,

****** Note ****

This part is to be considered as a supplementary model to:
EL-Shimy M. Chapter 3: Operational Characteristics of Renewable Sources, Challenges, and
Future Prospective. In: EL-Shimy M, editor. Economics of Variable Renewable Sources for Electric
Power Production. Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing / Omniscriptum Gmbh & Company Kg,
Germany, ISBN: 978-3-330-08361-5; May 2017

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