A method for estimating cell temperature at the maximum power point of a HCPV module under actual operating conditions

The operating cell temperature of a HCPV module or system is a key factor, because it directly affects efficiency and reliability. Hence, the accurate estimation of cell temperature in a HCPV module is crucial. Under real operating conditions, HCPV modules work at the maximum power point, because they are connected to an inverter. At the maximum power point, the cell temperature is lower than the cell temperature of open circuit, because solar cells are generating power which is not transformed into heat. At present, none of the existing methods are valid to estimate the operating cell temperature of a HCPV module connected to an inverter. In this paper, a procedure for estimating this temperature is introduced. The results show that the proposed method performs effectively in the estimation of the cell temperature in a HCPV module connected to an inverter. In addition, an analysis of the difference between the cell temperature of open circuit and the cell temperature at the maximum power point in a HCPV is conducted and a difference of up to 21°C has been found. •In actual operating conditions HCPV modules work at the maximum power point.•The cell temperature at maximum power point is lower than at open circuit.•None of the existing methods can be used to estimate the cell temperature in actual conditions.•A method for estimating the cell temperature in real conditions is introduced.•Proposed method performs effectively in the estimation of the cell temperature.