Efficiency of PV module under real working conditions

This work illustrates the testing of a photovoltaic module (ISOFOTON I-100/24) under real operating conditions. The location of the test is in Adrar region in south Algeria. The module was exposed outdoor under cloudless sky during light (from sunrise until noon time). The tests were carried out under different solar radiation, cell temperature and air mass conditions, where different I-V characteristics were taken, for efficiency determination as a function of irradiance, cell temperature and air mass. Applying a semi-empirical efficiency model developed by W. Durisch [1] for determine the impact of every climatic parameters (the global irradiance in to inclined module plane, cell temperature and air mass) on the efficiency of PV module. Very interesting scientific results where the module offers an acceptable efficiency behaviour over the irradiance range; more sensitivity to temperature. The STC efficiency was found to be 8.96% corresponding to an STC module output power of 65.6W. An efficiency maximum of 9.093% was found at 800w/m(2). The efficiency linearly decreases with temperature and air mass. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.