What causes energy production loss in solar PV systems?

In the final installment of Aurora’s PV System Losses Series we explain specific causes of energy production loss in solar PV systems — and explore solar panel angle efficiency losses, as well as losses from tilt and orientation, incident angle modifier, environmental conditions, and inverter clipping.

How does power loss affect the performance of a photovoltaic system?

The performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system is highly affected by different types of power losses which are incurred by electrical equipment or altering weather conditions. In this context, an accurate analysis of power losses for a PV system is of significant importance.

How does a solar PV system generate electricity?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity via the photovoltaic effect — whenever sunlight knocks electrons loose in the silicon materials that make up solar PV cells. As such, whenever a solar cell or panel does not receive sunlight — due to shading or nearby obstructions — the entire installation generates less overall solar power.

Why is it important to know the losses of a PV system?

In addition, the possibility to know the current amounts of losses and have available an estimation of the future values of these losses can help the PV system owners to have a clear perspective on the long-term operation of the system and plan for maintenance or other solutions.

Do total power losses affect PV system performance?

Performance metrics such as performance ratio and efficiency have been widely used in the literature to present the effects of the total power losses in PV systems.

What is Aurora solar's Ultimate Guide to PV system losses?

Aurora Solar’s Ultimate Guide to PV System Losses includes basic solar performance concepts like the effect of tilt, orientation, and shade on production metrics. The guide walks through how mismatched equipment can cause losses and surveys the effects of incident angle modifiers, and module nameplate rating losses.