Optimizing photovoltaic arrays: A tested dataset of newly manufactured PV modules for data-driven analysis and...

Area of Science:

• Renewable Energy
• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Manufacturing defects and tolerances in photovoltaic (PV) modules cause power mismatch losses in solar arrays.
• These losses reduce overall PV system efficiency and can accelerate module degradation.
• Optimizing module arrangement is key to maximizing energy yield from PV installations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive dataset of experimentally tested characteristics of newly manufactured PV modules.
• To provide a valuable resource for academic research in PV array optimization.
• To support the development of algorithms for mitigating mismatch power losses and enhancing PV system performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a commercial PV testing system with an artificial sunlight simulator.
• Conducted tests in a darkroom environment adhering to IEC60904-9 standards.
• Collected electrical characteristics (voltage, current, power, fill factor) for PV modules of 10 W, 85 W, and 247 W.

Main Results:

• Detailed experimental data for 40 individual records of each PV module power rating.
• Characterization includes open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and maximum power point parameters.
• The dataset quantifies module performance variations relevant to mismatch loss analysis.

Conclusions:

• The dataset is essential for advancing PV array optimization research.
• It enables the exploration of algorithms to improve PV system output power and efficiency.
• Future work can leverage this data to enhance the lifespan and performance of solar arrays.