Energy yield simulations of perovskite/c-Si tandem modules in real-world conditions

Abstract

Performance of photovoltaic modules are widely expressed using their efficiency at Standard Test Conditions (STC). Although, real world conditions largely differ from this standard. Energy yield of photovoltaic modules at a certain location gives a clear indication of the performance of the module exposed to varying weather conditions. Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD) Toolbox developed at Delft University of Technology and implemented in MATLAB®, aims to simulate energy yield of photovoltaic modules while providing the flexibility of modifying cell-level to module-level parameters of the device. Accurately determining the irradiance falling on the module at a certain location and simulating the electrical properties of a solar cell at realistic conditions is crucial in determining the yield generated by a module. Due to the promising results displayed by the technology, in this study, energy yield of perovskite/c-Si tandem modules are simulated using newly developed daylight and parameter extraction models in PVMD toolbox.
Due to high computational efficiency and functionality offered, Preetham daylight model is implemented as an improvement to Perez model currently used in PVMD toolbox. The model considers the effect of Rayleigh and Mie scattering, and turbidity of atmosphere in determining the distribution of diffuse irradiance across the skydome. By implementing the model, three factors can now be determined: luminance distribution, RGB co-ordinates and relative spectral power distribution over the skydome for any location. Luminance is calculated for every point in sky using Perez parametric function that use coefficients derived from simulated data for different sun directions and turbidity values. For all locations considered, Preetham model calculates higher luminance over the year by ~2%. Calculated luminance values normalized against zenith luminance is used to derive CIE xyY values and consecutively, the RGB co-ordinates that are rendered real-time to create images of the skydome for every hour in chosen timeframe. By calculating the relative spectral power distribution, analysis of incident light falling on the module from all points of the skydome is possible which especially deems useful for modelling tandem modules.
To accurately simulate electrical properties of solar cell under varying operating conditions, parameter extraction model for simulated ASA J-V curves is implemented using an analytical method. For the c-Si and perovskite cells considered in the study, the reconstructed curves using extracted parameters fits ASA curve with RMSE or 1.98% and 3.02% respectively at STC.
Using these models introduced in this study, energy yield of mono-facial and bi-facial 2T/4T tandem modules are calculated and analyzed for Rome, Reykjavik and Alice Springs. Depending on air mass of a location, perovskite thickness of mono-facial 2T tandem devices are optimized to produce maximum specific yield. All considered modules generate highest yield at Alice Springs due to high insolation at the location. The yield difference between modules while using the two daylight models is insignificant at <1%. With an increase in perovskite thickness, energy yield of 2T bi-facial modules increase significantly for high albedo while it drops beyond the optimum thickness due to current mismatch for low albedo. Bi-facial 4T module on high albedo (albedo= 0.85) surfaces show best performance out of all the modules producing 36% higher yield than mono-facial 4T module for Rome.