Solar Lattice

Concept

Temperature coefficient

ID
concept:temperature-coefficient
IRI
https://solarlattice.org/kb/concept/temperature-coefficient
Status
active
Also known as
Voc temperature coefficient, Pmax temperature coefficient, temperature coefficient of power, Temperature coefficient of voltage, Array Power-Temperature Coefficient, Open-circuit voltage temperature coefficient, Temperature coefficient of P MPP, voltage-temperature coefficient
Category
Modules
Concept kind
physics

A temperature coefficient describes how much a PV cell's voltage, current or power changes for each degree of change in cell temperature. For crystalline silicon, a hotter cell gives noticeably lower voltage and power and a slightly higher current, so the voltage and power coefficients are negative. Typical crystalline silicon values are about -0.4 %/°C for voltage, +0.04 %/°C for short-circuit current and -0.45 %/°C for maximum power, and thin-film modules have different values. Datasheets list these coefficients next to the STC ratings, for example -0.32 %/°C for open-circuit voltage or -0.41 %/°C for Pmpp on some products. Modules reach their highest voltage at the lowest temperature, so the Voc coefficient is used to find the cold-weather string voltage and to check it stays below the maximum system voltage when sizing strings. Detailed models such as the Sandia array model use separate coefficients for Isc, Imp, Voc and Vmp, because the Voc and Isc values do not correctly describe Vmp and Imp.

<!-- review notes

Claims

explains

c1 drafted · lead String sizing

The Voc temperature coefficient sets the cold-weather open-circuit voltage, which is used to check that the series string stays below the maximum system voltage.

related_to

c2 drafted · lead Open-circuit voltage

Voc rises as temperature drops below 25 °C; the coefficient is used to translate it.

c3 drafted · lead Short-circuit current

The Isc coefficient is small and positive for crystalline silicon.

c4 drafted · lead Maximum power point

Separate coefficients exist for Vmp, Imp and Pmax; Voc and Isc coefficients should not be assumed to apply to Vmp and Imp.

c5 drafted · lead Crystalline silicon PV

c6 drafted · lead Thin-film PV

Thin-film modules have different coefficients than crystalline silicon; manufacturer instructions govern voltage calculations.

c7 drafted · lead Standard test conditions

Coefficients translate datasheet values from the 25 °C rating reference to other temperatures.

review note: support check: partial - The 25 °C rating reference and datasheet STC data are stated, but explicit translation of STC values to other temperatures via coefficients is only implied through the Voc low-temperature equation.

Referenced by

Data