Outdoor evaluation of concentrator photovoltaic systems modules from different manufacturers: first results and steps

For the behavior of concentrator photovoltaic systems technology under real conditions to be understood, different modules from different manufacturers were measured in a new research center in Jaén. The influence in the power and the efficiency of irradiation levels, air temperature, and the influence of air mass were under study for 6 months. P_max shows a linear behavior with direct normal irradiance, and efficiency was constant to a first approximation for a wide range of irradiance levels. The effect of air temperature was negligible for the temperatures under study. At the same time, efficiency shows a maximum around AM1.5 and decreases aside this point. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.