Effect of Ambient Temperature and Solar Irradiance on Photovoltaic Modules' Performance

The impact of solar radiation and ambient temperature on solar PV energy yield and its corresponding economic implication was investigated. The electrical load assessment was done by physical inspection through periodic visits to study location. Five different scenarios were investigated for two locations - Ogun and Bayelsa States: Case I considers the PV performance based on the locations’ historical solar radiation and temperature data, Case II considers 30 % increase in the solar radiation data while the ambient temperature data remains fixed, Case III focuses on when solar radiation data is decreased by 30 % while the ambient temperature data remains constant, Case IV considers the solar radiation data remains constant while the temperature values are increased by 30 %, and Case V examined the same solar radiation values with temperature data values being decreased by 30 %. The HOMER pro was used as the implementation tool, Electrical energy yield, Unmet electric load, Net present cost, Levelized cost, and Operating cost for Cases I, II, III, IV, and V in Ota, Ogun State were as follows: 28,659 kWh/y, 4.71kWh/y, $13,537, $0.166, 271.43kWh/y; 37,260 kWh/y, 1.63kWh/y, $12,417, $0.152, 290.43kWh/y; 20,058kWh/y, 3.22kWh/y, $15,663, $0.192, 293.14kWh/y; 28,659kWh/y, 4.71kWh/y, $13,537, $0.166, 271.43kWh/y; and 28,659kWh/y, 4.61kWh/y, $13,437, $0.156, 261.43kWh/y, respectively while similar trend was observed for Otuasega in Bayelsa State. The results of the analysis showed that the optimal performance of the PV module occurred at a higher solar radiation and a lower ambient temperature.