Irradiance, thermal and electrical coupled modeling of photovoltaic panels with long-term simulation periods under service in harsh desert conditions

Predicting the electrical yield of photovoltaic (PV) devices over long periods of operating conditions is essential for the cost assessment of projects. The presented modeling of a PV panel couples different physics using finite-element method, focusing on long-term operations under desert conditions. The coupled physics are: (i) the solar irradiance; (ii) the heat transfer within the module, influencing the temperature-dependent conversion efficiency; and (iii) its electrical yield. The thermal behavior of a PV panel and predictions of its electrical yield are investigated for several years of atmospheric conditions in Saudi Arabia, with elementary assumptions regarding the performance of the selected PV device.