JRC-European Solar Test Installation (ESTI)
- Research Infrastucture for the development of energy yield and rating methods for emerging PV technologies
Technical Info
MAIN FEATURES :
The European Solar Test Installation (ESTI) is a European reference laboratory for the verification of the power and energy generation of photovoltaic devices. ESTI is located at the JRC's Ispra site in Italy. It has been at the forefront of developing standards for electrical performance of PV products since its launch in the late 1970s. ESTI's work supports the EU's renewable energy policy (Directive 2009/28/EC)
- Concerning energy yield and energy rating, ESTI’s approach uses:
- solar radiation and temperature data, as modelled in the geographical information system PVGIS,
- a "performance surface" model for the conversion efficiency of specific PV module types, with the module temperature and incident irradiance as independent variables.
The energy yield models are also implemented in the JRC PV-GIS system to provide location-specific yield estimates in Europe and Africa.
The experimental facilities include a dedicated module test stand with high frequency monitoring of performance data and I-V characteristics.
ESTI staff have been at the forefront of this area for several years, in the Performance projects and in IEC TC-82's WG2, which is developing the IEC 61853 energy rating standard.
LIMITATIONS OR CONSTRAINTS:
Users would assist in the performance of a focussed series of experiments and analysis following an agreed programme. They would be supported by experienced ESTI scientists and technicians
TYPICAL SERVICES OR RESULTS:
Generate the power (Pmax) matrix as per IEC 61853-1
Studies on linearity and stability of given technologies
Experimental sensitivity studies
Data analysis of new and existing data sets
Participation to Research Projects:
- Harmonisation of IV tracing methods and relevant data format
- elaboration of acquired data and development of Energy rating models
- Round robin measurement procedures
