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 IEA-PVPS programme.
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 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on the technical performance, reliability and costs of PV power systems and subsystems by means of published and unpublished written materials, available monitoring data from national programmes and personal contacts.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 organizing 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: Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems
Participants analyze 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 “Statistical and Analytical Evaluation of PV Operational Data“, Analysis of the Operational Performance of the IEA Database PV Systems and Operational Performance, Reliability and Promotion of Photovoltaic Systems.
- Subtask 3: Measuring and Monitoring
Participants assessed 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, normalized 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 IEA 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 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 analyze 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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Accomplishments for 2002
During 2002, Task 2 focused on the dissemination of the updated Performance Database and other Task 2 products. The public Task website 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 (see Figure 1).
An international symposium on Research, Marketing and Dissemination of Photovoltaic was held in Vienna on 13th September 2002 in conjunction with the PVPS Task 2 meeting. More than 120 persons from the solar and building industry, utilities, system designers, local governmental bodies and from research participated in the symposium “Electricity from the Sun” with presentations on the subjects: “RTD Activities and Trends”, “Training and Education”, “Marketing and Promotion Activities”.
- Subtask 1: International Database
The Task 2 Performance Database was updated and released in April 2002 as a tool for planning, sizing and improving PV systems with respect to operational performance and reliability. The Performance Database (45 MB) is available on CD-ROM and can be downloaded from the Task website http://www.task2.org. Instruction manual, installation guide, database flyer and electronic user support are additionally provided to the database users.
During 2002, Task 2 focused on the dissemination and promotion of the Task 2 database making announcements on public PVPS and Task websites, placing articles in national and international PV magazines and newsletters as well as presenting the database programme at PV conferences, seminars and in workshops. As a result, over 1 000 database users from 52 different countries and a broad range of sectors are making best use of the Task 2 database for their applications in research, production, planning & consulting and education.
Data collection and acquisition were kept at low level during 2002. Available datasets from Task 2 members and other sources were entered into the Performance Database to result in high quality data of 316 PV systems of different system technologies, located in 12 countries. The Task 2 database update of April 2002 provides 10 269 monthly datasets from grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems of a total power of 10,8 MWp.
- Subtask 2: Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems
A public report was prepared from the contributions of the Task 2 workshop held on the occasion of the European PV Solar Energy Conference (PVSEC) in Munich, Germany, in October 2001. The report Operational performance, reliability and promotion of photovoltaic systems was published in June 2002 and distributed to more than 360 interested readers in the form of hard copies and electronic documents (see Figure 3).
PV system performance analysis has been continued and worked up in selected activities, as follows:
- Availability of Irradiation Data (France) – A draft report was produced that provides information on irradiation data to be used to assess the performance of PV systems;
- Tools for Checking the Performance of PV systems (France) – Work has been performed to validate the use of coefficients able to give information of stand-alone system operation;
- Shadings Effects on PV System Performance (Japan) – Work initiated. Preliminary investigation in the literature was made to specify the approach;
- Temperature Effects on PV System Performance (Switzerland) – Work is underway. Based on collected hourly data, temperature gains and losses were calculated for selected examples;
- Long-term Performance and Reliability Analysis of PV Systems (Germany) – Work is underway. Case studies on long-term performance trends, on reduced yield analysis and on components failures were elaborated;
- Country Report on PV System Performance (Switzerland) – Work ongoing.
- Subtask 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.
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Activities planned for 2003
Task 2 activities for 2003 will focus on the effective dissemination of technical PVPS information, which has been elaborated in all 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 its member countries. Offering workshops and seminars relevant for target groups will be enhanced, as these activities seem to be attractive and of importance for the PV industry.
Task 2 intends to present its activities and results at the World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-3) in Osaka, Japan in May 2003. Contributions on performance analysis and reliability, understanding of temperature effects and on subsidies versus rate based incentives will be prepared and given in oral and visual presentations.
- Subtask 1: International Database
The target date for publication of the third version of the Performance Database is May 2003. New monitoring data including 2002 data and new data sets of PV systems in additional countries of interest will be submitted and entered before the Task 2 March meeting. The checked and updated Performance Database will be available for Internet downloads and on CD-ROM at the World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion in May 2003. Registered users will be informed about the release of this database update that can be incorporated into the existing programme.
- Subtask 2: Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems
The activities of PV system performance analysis will be continued:
- Availability of Irradiation Data (France) – Work will be finalized and published as report;
- Tools for Checking the Performance of PV Systems (France) –
Work will be substantially completed with some input from new
systems available in the Performance Database;
- Shadings Effects on PV System Performance (Japan) –
Work will be nearly completed and summarized into final report;
- Temperature Effects on PV System Performance (Switzerland) –
Results will be published as electronic document;
- Long-term Performance and Reliability Analysis of PV Systems
(Germany) – Case studies are to be completed. Recommendations
and results of case studies will be summarized and published
in final report;
- Country Report on PV System Performance (Switzerland) –
Work will be continued and published if availability of data allows.
- Subtask 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 co-operation 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.
Task 2 will continue to develop and organize PV workshops to involve industry and other parties in the PVPS activities. In September 2002, an international symposium on Research, Marketing and Dissemination of PV was organized in Vienna by Task 2 and Arsenal Research in cooperation with IEA PVPS, the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology and with the Austrian PV industry.
PV industries, engineering & consulting companies and utilities are important and well-represented user groups of the Task 2 Performance Database, who are gaining valuable information from the data provided.
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Key deliverables (2002 and planned 2003)
The following report was published and made available on public websites during 2002:
The following deliverables have been developed and produced during 2002:
- Task 2 Performance Database programme update with collected data from 316 PV systems, released in April 2002;
- Poster: Performance Analysis, Reliability and Sizing of Photovoltaic Systems. Visual presentation at the PV in Europe Conference, Rome, Italy, October 2002;
- Draft report on Review of Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Energy Systems was prepared by Task 2 and Task 3. It will
be updated and finalized for publication.
During 2003, it is planned to produce and disseminate a third version of the Task 2 Performance Database to be released in May 2003 and an updated brochure on Task 2 activities and results. Both will be available at the World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion and at the IEA PVPS International Conference in Osaka, Japan, May 2003. It is also planned to prepare and publish four conference proceedings on performance analysis & reliability, understanding of temperature effects and on subsidies versus rate based incentives.
The Task 2 conference contributions will be given in three oral and one visual
presentation. Public reports and other materials are available from the publications'
section. The Performance Database programme, database updates and Task 2
publications can be downloaded from the Task website http://www.task2.org.
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Task 2 participants
Current participants and experts supporting them are listed in Task 2 participants.
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Meeting schedule
- Held in 2002
- 6th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 21-23 March, 2002 Naples, Italy
- 7th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 11-14 September, 2002 Vienna, Austria
- Planned for 2003
- 8th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 19-21 March, 2003 Sophia-Antipolis, France
- 9th Task 2 Participants' Meeting 17-19 September, 2002 Berlin, Germany
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