Analysis of high concentrator photovoltaic modules in outdoor conditions: Influence of direct normal irradiance, air temperature, and air mass

The study of high concentrator photovoltaic (HCPV) technology under real conditions is essential to understand its real behavior. The influence of direct normal irradiance (DNI), air temperature (Tair), and air mass (AM) on the maximum power of two HCPV modules was studied for more than three years. Results found are presented in this paper. As expected, the main influence on the maximum power is DNI. Also, Tair has been found to have small influence on the maximum power. Regarding AM, two different behaviors have been found. The maximum power could be considered independent of AM for AM ≤ 2, while it decreases with an approximate linear behavior for AM > 2. Also, the maximum power of a HCPV module could be estimated with a linear mathematical fitting based on DNI, Tair, and AM.