EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A HALF-CUT PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE UNDER COLD CLIMATE CONDITIONS
International Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Congress, Kars, Turkey, 27 - 28 March 2026, pp.200-207, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- City: Kars
- Country: Turkey
- Page Numbers: pp.200-207
- Ataturk University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study experimentally investigates the real-time
performance of a half-cut monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) module under cold
climatic conditions in Erzurum, Türkiye. The effects of snowy and sunny days on
solar irradiance, panel surface temperature, wind speed, and system performance
were comparatively analyzed using energy and exergy approaches. The results
indicate that although solar irradiance values were lower on snowy days, the
significantly reduced ambient and module temperatures effectively limited
thermal losses. The panel surface temperature on snowy days remained
considerably lower than that of sunny days, which contributed positively to
electrical performance. According to the experimental results, the energy
efficiency was calculated as 0.185 for the snowy day and 0.132 for the sunny
day, corresponding to an increase of approximately 40.15% under snowy
conditions. Similarly, the exergy efficiency was found to be 0.197 for the
snowy day and 0.141 for the sunny day, indicating an improvement of about
39.72%. Despite lower irradiance levels, the higher efficiency values obtained
on snowy days can be attributed to reduced thermal losses and the reflective
effect of snow (albedo), which enhances the effective solar input. The findings
demonstrate that cold and high-altitude regions can provide highly favorable
operating conditions for photovoltaic systems, particularly when evaluated from
both energy and exergy perspectives.