Task 2 Status Report - Annual report 2001

Task 2 Status Report
Operational performance, maintenance and sizing of PV power systems and subsystems

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Fig. 1 - PVPS Task 2 Performance Database programme showing filter and data export tools for selected PV system

Overall objective

The overall objective of Task 2 is to provide technical information on operational performance, long-term reliability and sizing of PV systems to target groups. The target groups of Task 2 are other Tasks of PVPS and PV experts, research laboratories, utilities and manufacturers, system designers, installers, standardization organizations and vocational schools. Task 2 is a technical Task with a horizontal role to deliver services to the other Tasks within the PVPS programme. Maintenance of PV systems and subsystems is an important aspect of long-term plant operation and will be included in the Task activities. Task 2 officially started its work on April 16, 1999, for a period of five years (second phase). Task 2 activities are organized into the following Subtasks:

Subtask 2.1: International database
Participants collect information on the technical performance, reliability and costs of PV power systems and subsystems by means of published and unpublished written materials, available monitoring data from national programmes and personal contacts. The information is then entered into a database providing technical data on operational performance, long-term reliability and sizing of PV systems. To ensure consistency, a data collection format and a set of standard definitions have been developed and agreed to.
The Task 2 Performance Database allows the user to select PV system data, monitoring data and calculated results as well as to export these data into spreadsheet programmes. The Task 2 database is being updated regularly including new PV system data from national representatives and other sources. The product is distributed in a non-commercial way as widely as possible. Dissemination of the database and collated information is carried out through national channels of the participating countries, by organising national and international workshops, by presenting the products at conferences and seminars and last, but not least, by using the effective means of Internet.
Subtask 2.2: Evaluation of PV-systems
Participants analyse performance and maintenance data for photovoltaic power systems and components in their respective countries, both in order to ensure the quality and comparability of data entered in the database and to develop analytical reports on key issues such as operational performance, reliability, expected output and sizing of PV systems. Activities to date include conference presentations and published reports on a Statistical and Analytical Evaluation of PV Operational Data, analysis of the Operational Performance of the IEA Database PV Systems and analysis of Photovoltaic Systems.
Subtask 2.3: Measuring and monitoring
Participants assess which current procedures for measuring the performance of photovoltaic power systems and subsystems are most effective, which can be improved, and which are best avoided. Activities included a published handbook covering monitoring techniques, normalised evaluation of PV systems and national procedures in IEA member countries. The internal PVPS Task 2 report, "Measuring and Monitoring Approaches", was published in November 1998 and has been distributed to other PVPS-Task participants, a PV researcher and to individuals who have made a special request.
Subtask 3 was terminated during the first phase of Task 2. Activities on monitoring and maintenance are continued with less emphasis within Subtask 2.
Subtask 2.4: Improving PV System Performance
Participants are developing recommendations on sizing of PV power systems and suggest improvements for better PV system performance. Participants identify tools to process and analyse data for performance prediction and sizing purposes. Applied energy management schemes are analyzed from the energy and operating cost points of view. Participants take account of the work performed in other Subtasks and in collaboration with Task 3 and Task 7.

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Fig. 2 - Map of the world with irradiation levels and annual production data for one selected PV system in each of the reporting countries: Eleven of 290 PV systems from the Task 2 Performance Database

Accomplishments for 2001

During 2001, Task 2 focused on the dissemination of the Performance Database and other Task 2 products. The public Task website established in July 2001, enables downloads and technical information to be provided quickly and cost-effective to the users. The volume of visitors to the Task website, their countries and sectors as well as the number of PVPS Task 2 products retrieved are being tracked to measure the extent to which the website is visited and the products are used.
The organization and execution of the first international Task 2 workshop became a priority activity for Task 2 since the beginning of the year. Condensed information on operational performance, reliability and promotion of PV systems has been presented and delivered to the target audience. The IEA PVPS Task 2 workshop was held in Munich, Germany, on 24 October 2001, in conjunction with the European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition and attracted a broad range of participants from many different countries and sectors.
Organizing a joint Task meeting between Task 2 and Task 7 in Yokohama, Japan, in September 2001, has enhanced inter-task communication. The exchange of information on architectural PV design criteria, trends in building integration, irradiation losses in the built environment and operational experiences and performance results has been fruitful to both Tasks.

Subtask 2.1: International database
The Task 2 Performance Database, version 1.19, was published as a tool for planning, sizing and improving PV systems with respect to operational performance and reliability (see Figure 1). The database programme was upgraded and new datasets were entered which resulted in high quality data of 290 PV systems of different system technologies, located in eleven IEA countries (see Figure 2).
The Performance Database (45 MB) is available on CD-ROM and can be downloaded from the Task website http://www.task2.org. An instruction manual, installation guide, database flyer and electronic user support are additionally provided to the database users. Since its first release in July 2001, 250 registered users from a broad range of sectors and 37 different countries have downloaded the Task 2 Performance Database during the second half of 2001 (see Figure 3).
During the same period, a further 110 database programmes on CD-ROM have been distributed to vocational schools, to research laboratories, electricity utilities, industries (SME) and to the press on individual requests. For the promotion of the Performance Database, announcements were made on public PVPS and Task websites, as well as written articles in national and international PV magazines and newsletters. The database programme has been presented at PV conferences and in workshops.
Data collection was continued and focused on additional data sets from already existing PV systems, new types of PV systems (i.e. building integrated PV, facades and AC-modules) and PV systems in new countries. Due to various national programmes (e. g. Japan, Italy, Germany) and corresponding monitoring activities, representative data were collected by each Task participant and 30 new PV system data were imported into the PVPS Task 2 Performance Database during the year 2001. For easy data import into the Task 2 database, an Excel workbook is available, which includes automatic calculations of annual results and thus can be used for data checking and correction.
At present, 10 400 monthly data sets from 290 operating PV plants with an installed capacity of 8 MWp are provided in the Task 2 Performance Database. High quality PV system data are available from the following countries (see Figure 2): Austria, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Data from PV installations in additional countries are most desired and available data will be included in the next database update.
Subtask 2.2: Evaluation of PV-systems
The activity of PV system performance analysis has been continued. All system and subsystem performance data have been evaluated in terms of operational performance and reliability. To a great extent the evaluation procedures are based on the European Guidelines, Document B, taking small modifications into account. Additional parameters are introduced for the evaluation of stand-alone systems.
Performance results are presented in standard format using normalised indicators such as energy yields (normalized to the nominal power of the PV array), efficiencies (normalized to the PV array area) and performance ratio (normalized to the in-plane irradiation).
A report on the Operational Performance, Reliability and Sizing of Photovoltaic Systems, has been prepared in conjunction with the Task 2 workshop held in Munich, Germany, on 24 October 2001, and will be published in the beginning of 2002.
Subtask 2.4: Improving PV System Performance
Different documents on simulation tools have been collected and evaluated. The overview on simulation tools will be continued and improved. Regarding energy management strategies (EMS), a draft version of a review on Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Energy Systems, has been prepared in collaboration with Task 3. It will be made available to Task 2 and Task 3 experts early in 2002. Case studies have been selected to initiate activities on “optimum operational conditions for stand-alone hybrid systems.“

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Activities planned for 2002

Task 2 activities for 2001 will focus on the effective dissemination of technical PVPS information, which has been elaborated in all of the four Subtasks. The Internet option will be the preferred way of distribution. For the national distribution of the Performance Database, Task 2 will locate and activate distribution channels and contacts in their members’ countries. Offering workshops relevant for target groups will be enhanced, as these activities seem to be attractive and of importance for the PV industry.
As PVPS and Task websites are the main distribution channels for Task 2 deliverables, further efforts will be invested to improve and update these sites. The Task 2 website will be further developed to become the choice of information dissemination and retrieval offering general PVPS information, a list of national contact persons, free downloads of Task 2 publications, free download of updated Performance Database, registration of database users, examples of PV system performance analysis, announcements of national and international workshops, links to other relevant websites.

Subtask 2.1: International database
Task 2 will continue to collect and import new plant and monitoring data from their country and from other possible sources. Data collection focuses on additional data sets from already existing PV systems, new types of PV systems and PV systems in a new countries. An enhanced effort will be made to get representative PV plant data of different climatic regions and to fill in the gaps of the current database. Task 2 will continually review and upgrade the Performance Database. The development and production of regular updates of the Performance Database depend on new entries of collected data. Updates containing the collected data (6 MB), but not the complete programme (47 MB), will be available for downloading from the Task 2 website. Registered users will be informed about the release of database updates and can incorporate the new database into the existing programme.
The Task 2 Performance Database will be promoted as a tool for planning, sizing and improving PV systems with respect to operational performance and reliability. For database promotion, Task 2 intends to use public websites of IEA PVPS and Task 2, to place articles in international newsletters, journals and magazines, to present at conferences, seminars and workshops and to access specific target groups and contacts outside PVPS.
Subtask 2.2: Evaluation of PV-systems
The activities of PV system performance analysis will be continued. The PV systems under analysis will be grid connected PV systems and hybrid stand-alone PV systems. Performance indicators will be identified and performance results will be presented in standard format. Task 2 will produce summary report updates on performance results of new PV systems and will publish them on the Task 2 website.
Task 2 has recognised that the Performance Database cannot provide all information necessary for the improvement of the current PV system technology. For this reason new activities are being defined including an overview of irradiation data, guidelines to predict real PV output, recommendations on improving operational reliability of PV components, and guidelines for PV components sizing.
Subtask 2.4: Improving PV System Performance
Task 2 will continue the work on PV systems performance assessment checking the relevance of matching factor and usage factor and defining the minimum parameters required for performance assessment.
A specific methodology on sizing of PV hybrid systems, based on the analysis of operational data, will be developed to improve PV hybrid system operation. Other case studies will be selected to enlarge the EMS analysis and give the results the widest signification possible.

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Industry involvement

Task 2 benefits from its cooperation with PV industries, electricity utilities and other agencies, both for collection and analysis of PV system data and for dissemination of technical information to target audiences. PV industries, utilities and engineering & consulting companies are important and well-represented user groups of the Task 2 Performance Database, who are gaining valuable information from the data provided (see also Figure 3).
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Key deliverables (2001 and planned)

Task 2 workshop on “Operational Performance, Reliability and Promotion of Photovoltaic Systems” was held in Munich, Germany, on 24 October 2001, in conjunction with the 17th European PV Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition

An IEA PVPS Task 2 workshop on “Operational Performance, Reliability and Promotion of Photovoltaic Systems” was held in Munich, Germany, on 24 October 2001, in conjunction with the 17th European PV Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition. The workshop attracted more than 70 participants from 20 countries and different sectors.

The following deliverables have been developed and published during 2001:

IEA PVPS Task 2 Performance Database programme, version 1.19 (45 MB), July 2001, available on CD-ROM and by Internet downloads.
Database with collected data from 290 PV systems, released in July 2001.
Instruction manual for Performance Database, July 2001.
Installation guide for Performance Database, July 2001
Brochure: IEA PVPS Task 2, September 2001.

The following report was published during 2001:

Workshop proceedings on Operational Performance, Reliability and Promotion of Photovoltaic Systems, Munich, Germany, October 2001.

The following internal document was produced during 2001:

IEA PVPS Task 2 workshop PC presentations (Power Point), October 2001.

Public reports and other materials are available from the publications' section, whereas the Performance Database programme can be downloaded from the Task website http://www.task2.org.
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Participating countries, key participants in 2001 and their organizations

Current participants and experts supporting them are listed in Task 2 participants.
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Meeting schedule (2001 and planned 2002)

4th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 19-20 March, 2001 Sophia-Antipolis, France
5th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 19-22 September, 2001 Yokohama, Japan
6th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 21-23 March, 2002 Naples, Italy
7th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 11-14 September, 2002 Vienna, Austria

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