Module File Generation

Generating a Module File from Basic Data

If the user wishes to create a new module file from a standard module datasheet or similar data source, the “Enter Basic Data” input option is recommended. Click here for an example of a standard module datasheet.

Click “Add New Module”, and then select “Enter Basic Data” when the modal appears.

Fill in the “General Characteristics”, “Electrical Data at STC” and “Temperature Coeffs. (coefficients)” sections. (It is highly recommended to use the “1-diode” model type for crystalline-Silicon modules, and the “1-diode Recombination” model type for Cadmium-Telluride modules.) This will automatically trigger the module file generator.

The initial set of 1-diode parameters, the model-calculated performance characteristics at STC, and corresponding I-V curve will be generated according to algorithmic defaults. Learn more about PlantPredict’s default module file generator algorithm HERE. If satisfied with the default assumptions and resulting 1-diode parameters, click “Generate Module”.

Fill in the necessary module metadata and click “Save Module”.

Advanced Tuning with Effective Irradiance Response

After the initial 1-diode parameters are generated, a user with knowledge of module electrical characteristics might want to optimize the module to perform with a specific effective irradiance response (EIR). A module’s EIR defines its relative efficiency at any set of irradiances (where relative efficiency is 100% at 1000 W/m²).

First click “Show Advanced Tuning Options” to expose the 1-diode Parameters and EIR tool.

Click “Add Curve” to begin specifying the desired EIR. Enter in the temperature at which the EIR will be defined, and then enter in any number of irradiances and their respective relative efficiencies (in percent). **Important Note: The current version of this feature will only use an EIR curve at 25⁰C when the user clicks “Optimize to Match EIR” under “Series Resistance at STC”. This tool is described in more detail below.

A plot will appear next to the EIR table with small circles representing the desired relative efficiencies at each irradiance, and the solid line showing the model-calculated EIR based on the currently entered electrical characteristics and 1-diode parameters.

Click the button “Difference/Error” to toggle to a plot that shows the difference between the desired and model-calculated relative efficiencies at each specified irradiance.

These two plots serve as a visual reference for optimizing the module file to perform according to a desired EIR, and will update as parameters are modified. The easiest first step towards optimizing the module is to click “Optimize to match EIR” which will algorithmically tune the “Series Resistance STC”, recalculate any 1-diode parameters dependent on Series Resistance, and result in a model-calculated EIR that is closer to the desired performance. The solid line representing model-calculated is replotted in the EIR plot to reflect this change.

However, the series resistance optimization tool does not guarantee a model-calculated EIR that is satisfactory to the user’s desired performance. It is recommended that users experienced with module performance use the “Optimize to match EIR” tool in conjunction with manual modification of the 1-diode parameters to achieve a better optimized result.

If the user wishes to revert all parameters back to those initially generated by the default algorithm, re-click the “Use algorithmic defaults” checkbox. (It automatically un-checks when the user manually modifies any of the 1-diode parameters.)

Model-Calculated Performance

The user can generate the model-calculated performance of the module at any non-STC temperature and irradiance by entering in the desired conditions

Advanced Input Options: Key I-V Points

If the user has data from module performance testing conducted according to the IEC 61853-1 standard, or less comprehensive module performance data formatted similarly, the “Key IV Points” input option is recommended. The benefit of this option is that if the user provides performance data at multiple temperatures and irradiances, the temperature coefficients and relative efficiencies will be automatically calculated, respectively. The only required input is a row of performance data at 25⁰C, 1000 W/m². However, if this is the only data available to the user, the “Basic Data” input option is recommended.

Click “Add New Module”, and then select “Enter Key I-V Points” when the modal appears.

In order to add data manually, click “Add Row” to add data at a new irradiance (within a temperature tab). Add data at a different temperature by adding a temperature tab to the data matrix.

Fill in all of the electrical characteristics in each row. When sufficient data is supplied at a given temperature, the relative efficiencies for each irradiance will calculate automatically. Similarly, when data is provided at 1000 W/m² for multiple temperatures, the temperature coefficients will calculate automatically.

Alternatively, the user can download the .xlsx template and upload it to automatically populate the Key I-V Points grid.

Clicking “continue” will land the user on the main module file creation page documented in the guide for “Generating a Module File From Basic Data”. The “Electrical Characteristics at STC”, “Temperature Coefficients” and table of relative efficiencies in the “Advanced Tuning” section will be prepopulated with any data processed from the Key I-V Points page.

Advanced Input Options: Full I-V Curves

If the user has full I-V curve data measured at STC (and any other temperature/irradiance conditions), the “Full IV Curves” input option is recommended. The primary benefit of this feature is that PlantPredict will automatically extract the maximum power, voltage and current at maximum power, short-circuit current, and open-circuit voltage of all I-V curves provided. Furthermore, if the user provides performance data at multiple temperatures and irradiances, the temperature coefficients and relative efficiencies will be automatically calculated, respectively. The only required I-V curve is one measured at 25⁰C, 1000 W/m².

Click “Add New Module”, and then select “Enter Full I-V Curves” when the modal appears.

In order to add data manually, click “Add Curve” to add data at a new irradiance (within a temperature tab). Add data at a different temperature by adding a temperature tab to the data matrix. The minimum required (I, V) points for each curve is 40.

Once a curve is supplied at STC, the electrical characteristics at STC will be extracted. When sufficient data is supplied at a given temperature, the relative efficiencies for each irradiance will calculate automatically. Similarly, when data is provided at 1000 W/m² for multiple temperatures, the temperature coefficients will calculate automatically.

Alternatively, the user can download the .xlsx template and upload it to automatically populate the Full I-V Curves page.

Clicking “continue” will land the user on the main module file creation page documented in the guide for “Generating a Module File From Basic Data”. The “Electrical Characteristics at STC”, “Temperature Coefficients” and table of relative efficiencies in the “Advanced Tuning” section will be prepopulated with any data processed from the Full I-V Curves page.