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reliability and costs of PV power systems and subsystems by means of published and unpublished written materials, available monitoring data from national programmes and personal contacts.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 PV Performance 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 the work on the availability of irradiation data, tools for checking the
performance of PV systems, shading effects and temperature effects as well as long-term performance and reliability analysis.
- 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, 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, PV researchers 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 into account the work performed in other Subtasks and in collaboration with Task 3 and Task 7.
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Summary of Task 2 accomplishments for 2003
During 2003, 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-effectively 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.
- Subtask 1: International Database
The PV Performance Database was updated and the programme
was released in May 2003 as a tool for planning, sizing and
improving PV systems with respect to operational performance and reliability. The new Performance Database contains high quality data of 372 PV systems of different system technologies, located in 15 countries. The update of May 2003 provides 13 200 monthly datasets from grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems of a total power of 11,8 MWp.
The Performance Database programme (47 MB) is available on
CD-ROM and can be downloaded from the Task website http://www.task2.org. An instruction manual & installation guide in English and Japanese language, a database flyer in English and Italian language as well as electronic user support are
additionally provided to the database users.
Task 2 focuses 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 PV training courses. As a result, 1 850 database users from 62 different countries and a broad range of sectors are making best use of the Task 2 database for their applications in planning & consulting, education, production and research. In 2003, the highest demand for the Performance Database came from the private sector and the engineering sector, followed by the education and industry sector.
- Subtask 2: Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems
PV system performance analysis has been continued and worked
upon in selected activities, as follows:
- Availability of Irradiation Data (France): A final 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):
The results obtained in 2002 on some stand-alone systems have
been extended to most of the SAS existing in the Database.
This represents a good step forward for the recognition of these parameters in the evaluation of SAS PV systems performance.
Results were published in a conference paper.
- Shadings Effects on PV System Performance (Japan)
- Temperature Effects on PV System Performance (Switzerland): Based on collected hourly data, temperature gains and losses were calculated for selected examples. First results were published in a conference paper.
- Long-term Performance and Reliability Analysis of PV Systems (Germany): Case studies on long-term performance trends, on reduced yield analysis and on components failures were elaborated. A final draft report was prepared.
- Country Report on PV System Performance (Switzerland): A draft report was prepared.
- 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” was prepared in collaboration with Task 3. This document needs to be revised and updated with respect to some comments from experts and new achievements obtained so far.
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Summary of Task 2 activities planned for 2004
Task 2 activities for 2004 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 use and activate distribution channels and contacts in its member countries. Task 2 intends to present its activities and achievements at 19th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Paris, France, in June 2004.
Contributions on Task 2 achievements, performance analysis and
reliability of PV systems and on global aspects of PV solar electricity will be prepared and delivered in oral and visual presentations.
- Subtask 1: International Database
The target date for publication of the fourth version of the PV Performance Database is May 2004. New monitoring data including 2003 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 19th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Paris, in June 2004. All 1 850 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.
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 (2003 and planned 2004)
- Task 2 Performance Database programme update with collected data from 372 PV systems, released in May 2003.
- PVPS Task 2 brochure on Task 2 activities and results available in English, Italian and Japanese language, was published in March 2003.
The following publications have been prepared and presented
at the Third World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) in Osaka, Japan, in May 2003:
- Oral presentation: U. Jahn, W. Nasse: “PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND RELIABILITY OF GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEMS IN IEA COUNTRIES.”
- Oral presentation: D. Mayer, M. Heidenreich: “PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF STAND ALONE PV SYSTEMS FROM A RATIONAL USE OF ENERGY POINT OF VIEW.“
- Oral presentation: T. Nordmann: “SUBSIDIES VERSUS RATE BASED INCENTIVES; FOR: TECHNOLOGY-; ECONOMICAL- AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT OF PV "THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE,” which received
the “Paper Award” of WCPEC session 8.
- Visual presentation: T. Nordmann, L. Clavadetscher: “UNDERSTANDING TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON PV SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.”
During 2004 it is planned to produce and disseminate a fourth
version of the Task 2 Performance Database to be released in May 2004, which will be available at the 19th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Paris in June 2004.
It is also planned to prepare and publish conference proceedings on Task 2 results, performance analysis & reliability, and on global aspects of PV electricity. The Task 2 conference contributions will be delivered in oral and visual presentations. Public reports and other materials are made available on this website. 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 (2003 and planned 2004
- The 8th Task 2 Participants’ Meeting was held in Sophia-Antipolis, France, 19-21 March 2003.
- The 9th Task 2 Participants’ Meeting was held in Berlin, Germany, 17-19 September 2003.
- The 10th Task 2 Participants’ Meeting will be held in Erlenbach, Switzerland, 22-24 March 2004.
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