Again according to NASA, the worldwide daily average value of solar irradiance across the whole planet over one day is approximately equal to 5.0 kWh/m or 5 peak sun hours (PSH). Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert solar irradiance into electricity.
The irradiance of the sun, also known as solar irradiance, plays a significant role in the power output of PV-modules. Under standard test conditions (STC), PV modules are specified at a solar irradiance of 1000W/m². The amount of solar irradiance available in a specific location determines how much power a rated solar panel can produce in that location.
Under PSC, the first two modules in Fig. 2 (b) are subjected to a solar irradiance of 1000 W / m 2, while the last module on the string receives 500 W / m 2. By so doing, we subject the array under non-uniform irradiance.
Using PV power measurements for irradiance can eradicate the need for an exclusive network of irradiance sensors resulting in automatic accounting of the incidence angle and temperature effect on solar forecasts. The authors in [4, 28, 29] have used around 80 rooftop/distributed PVs as a sensor network for measuring the solar irradiance.
The irradiance of the sun available in a specific location determines how much power a rated solar panel can produce in that location. (The above plot shows the relationship between Sun Irradiance and the power output – both current and voltage – of solar panels.)
One of the most important factors to consider when designing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is the level of solar irradiance at a potential location.