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I mean that, a solar panel can't produce 27 watts on average having a 100 watts peak power. In any practical location on Earth - while somewhere in the middle o
by anovikov 9y ago
I mean that, a solar panel can't produce 27 watts on average having a 100 watts peak power. In any practical location on Earth - while somewhere in the middle of Sahara desert, it will be close to that (unless you take in account solar panel's reduced power in higher temperatures).
- lucideer 9y agoHow is the 100 watts calculated in your example? I would've presumed the theoretical maximum for a producing unit would be what it could theoretically actually produce in the location its placed. If it's the theoretical maximum output of a cell, then calling BS seems warranted, but it doesn't seem like that would be a useful comparator in this context.
- scythe 9y agoTemperature doesn't affect capacity factor by this definition, because it reduces the numerator and the denominator by the same proportion.
- cjalmeida 9y agoThe denominator is based on standard test conditions. Check the link for details. http://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/quality/standard-test-conditions-stc-definition-and-problems/ http://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/quality/standard-tes... Those conditions reflect not the theoretical maximum but an expected output in very good actual conditions. This is relevant because it relates to the needed transmission capacity one need installed. For instance, at 30% capacity factor, you're "wasting 70%" of transmission on average. It's a good metric to compare between sites of a same energy source but it's not very useful between sources. For that, the better metric is Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) in $/MWh. Usually present with or without subsidies.