ABSTRACT
The Dutch PV research programme NOZ-PV 1997-2000 states goals for the technical improvement of grid-connected PV systems. In the programme time span (1) performance ratios should increase from 65-70% to 7781% (2) inverter efficiency should increase from 85 to 92% (3) the efficiency for tracking, ohmic and diode losses should increase from 85-90% to 93-95%. To determine these indicators by monitoring of systems in the field is costly and does not make a fair comparison possible. Here we present a protocol to analyse system designs by means of system simulation. The protocol gives the optimum performance of a system type (so without shading, soiling or system breakdowns). We apply the protocol to eight system designs, with various modules, inverter types, and mounting configurations, that were realised in the Netherlands between 1994 and 1999. The calculated performance ratios of these systems are in the range 74 to 84 %. We conclude that the NOZ-PV objectives can be achieved.
