Effect of Operating Temperature on Solar Photovoltaic Module Efficiency: A Parametric Simulation Study
Keywords:
photovoltaic module, operating temperature, conversion efficiency, temperature coefficient, parametric simulation, thermal sensitivityAbstract
This paper examines the sensitivity of photovoltaic (PV) module conversion efficiency and nominal electrical output to operating temperature using a reproducible, deliberately simplified parametric model. Unlike irradiance-response studies, the incident irradiance is held at the standard reference level of 1000 W/m² while module temperature is independently varied from 25 to 65°C. A synthetic 200 W, 20%-efficient reference module is assessed using a baseline power-temperature coefficient of -0.40%/°C and alternative coefficients between -0.30 and -0.45%/°C. The baseline model predicts a reduction in maximum power from 200 W to 168 W and a reduction in conversion efficiency from 20% to 16.8% at 65°C, representing a 16% relative decline. Under the least and most temperature-sensitive coefficients, the predicted 65°C power is 176 W and 164 W, respectively. The results show why thermal coefficients strongly influence projected PV performance and why a reference-temperature rating should not be interpreted as an outdoor operating guarantee. These outcomes are mathematical scenario results, not measured panel performance or validation of a commercial product. The study supplies an auditable baseline for preliminary thermal sensitivity analysis and identifies limits of linear temperature-only modeling.
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