Apologies if I was a little short in my previous email however I really don’t see why people are using PVSOL to select their modules. Think what you like about me being on an agenda but here is my logic....
I will try to be more insightful for you BigsSolar…..
I do get your point Worcester RE: NOCT, but this is still just a fixed value, what about when the panel is at -15 and 600W/M2 or +70 and 1300W/m2.
The point is that the operating environment continually changes and it's what happens in real life that is important not what a software programme predicts (incidentally we do actually use PV Sol). You may argue that they have included the manufacturers temperature co-efficient data in their calcs, but this is just temperature, it doesn't factor in the irradiance level variation.
This is why I don’t consider it good practice to go on what a computer model predicts. Surely it’s far, far better to take an independent outdoor field test late Photons to see what actually happens throughout the year in a climate much like ours.
We only install a few types of module one of which is REC and they do divulge NOCT data - I can't comment on many other brands. We do not currently install Up Solar (who actually include NOCT data), but are considering them due to their price, long warranty, photon performance and the fact they use high quality European components.
I would suggest that due to the competitive nature of the PV module market a lot of Western brands will continue to go under. Unfortunately it might be wise getting in with a decent Chinese manufacturer (they do exist) early as they are the ones that can afford to cut module prices and stay in business.
This is not a sales pitch it is a fact.
I stand by my opinion of Sanyo hybrid modules, actually this admittedly limited data from Sheffield Uni backs up what I am saying about yield per kWp. It doesn’t seem any better than the ‘average’ standard pure silicone based module.
Microgeneration Data
