Outdoor monitoring of a hybrid micro-CPV solar panel with integrated micro-tracking and diffuse capture

Dataset from the outdoor characterization of a B Series module from Insolight at the rooftop of the Instituto de Energía Solar - Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. These are measurements of a module of the same type as “Outdoor monitoring data of an Insolight B-series module - CPV sub-module” however, in the previous measurements the module was mounted on a two-axis tracker to benchmark its performance, while in these measurements, the module’s integrated planar micro tracking system was used. This data was presented at IEEE PVSC 46 in June 2019 in Chicago. See preprint of conference article.

Monitoring campaign:

• Location: 40.453°N, -3.727°E. Instituto de Energía Solar, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. 28040 Madrid, Spain.
• Fixed Mounting Angle: Due South, Slope Angle = 30°
• Starting date: 30 May 2019
• End date: 14 June 2018

Description of data file:

• Data files format: single comma-separated text file; headers in first row; all of the following parameters; order below is the same as order in file
• Measurement time: the vector of times represents the times at which the Insolight module firmware sampled the current values of the III-V and Si outputs (measured simultaneously).
  • Date Time (dd/mmm/yyyy HH:MM:SS): time in CEST / UTC+2
• Measured meteorological data: these values are measured directly by the IES meteorological station with 1-minute resolution. They have been re-interpolated to match the measurement times.
  • DNI (W/m2): direct normal irradiance as measured by a Normal Incidence Pyrheliometer from Eppley on a solar tracker. Spectral Range: 250-3000 nm. Field of view: 5°
  • DNI_Top (W/m2): equivalent direct normal irradiance as measured by a top component cell of a lattice-matched III-V triple-junction cell in the ICU-3J35 Triband Spectro-heliometer from Solar Added Value on a solar tracker. Spectral range: 300 - 680 nm. Field of view: 5.7º
  • DNI_Mid (W/m2): equivalent direct normal irradiance as measured by a middle component cell of a lattice-matched III-V triple-junction cell in the ICU-3J35 Triband Spectro-heliometer from Solar Added Value on a solar tracker. Spectral range: 680 - 900 nm. Field of view: 5.7º
  • GNI (W/m2): global normal irradiance at the aperture plane as measured with a pyranometer on a solar tracker. Spectral range: 305 – 2800 nm.
  • G(41°) (W/m2): Global Inclined Irradiance as measured with a pyranometer mounted facing due south and at a slope angle of 41° (near to local latitude). Spectral range: 305 – 2800 nm.
  • T_Amb (°C): ambient temperature   
  • Wind Speed (m/s): wind speed
  • Wind Dir. (m/s): wind direction
• Processed meteorological data: these values are calculated from the above meteorological data and provided for convenience
  • DII (W/m2): Direct Inclined (plane of array) Irradiance corresponding to the module slope angle has been calculated using the sun’s known declination and hour angle from the time.
  • GII (W/m2): The Global Inclined (plane of array) Irradiance is calculated by first calculating the DII(41°), that is the DII corresponding to the G(41°) measurement, and finding the Diffuse Inclined Irradiance Diff(41°) = G(41°) – DII(41°). It is assumed that the Diffuse Inclined Irradiance at 41° and 30° is equal, so GII = DII + Diff(41°).
  • SMR_Top_Mid (n.d.): “Spectral Matching Ratio”. This is the ratio between DNI_Top and DNI_Mid. A value of unity indicates a spectrum that is equivalent to AM1.5D with regards to the energy balance between top and middle subcells.
• Measured module data: The module was placed in a short-ciruit condition and allowed to track using its integrated tracking system. The short circuit current was measured using shut resistors and integrated A/D channels. This hybrid module features both III-V micro cells (under concentration, with planar microtracking) and large area silicon solar cells (for diffuse capture).
  • ISC_measured_IIIV (A):
  • ISC_measured_Si (A)
• Estimated module data: As is explained in the IEEE PVSC 46 manuscript (see Preprint) the following values are estimated using the previously listed measured data.
  • T_Backplane (°C)
  • PMP_estimated_IIIV (W)
  • PMP_estimated_Si (W)