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Thermal Sensors

How to calculate PV performance ratio

and performance index
According to the latest IEC 61724 standard series

The new IEC 61724 “Photovoltaic system performance” series of standards is the best available source
that defines parameters such as “performance ratio” and “performance index”. The purpose of this
document is to clarify the logic behind IEC 61724 and its vocabulary. For brevity sake we do not mention
all parameters and performance metrics. If you want to know more: purchase the IEC standards.

Introduction Purpose of performance monitoring

IEC recently revised the standard for PV system IEC gives as possible purposes of PV performance
performance testing. It is now a series of 3: monitoring:

• IEC 61724-1, “monitoring” giving • identification of performance trends in an

requirements for measuring individual PV system
• IEC TS 61724-2 “capacity evaluation method” • localization of potential faults in a PV system
defining performance analysis based on the • comparison of PV system performance to
monitoring data over a short period of design expectations and guarantees
several sunny days • comparison of PV systems of different
• IEC TS 61724-3 “energy evaluation method” configurations
defining performance analysis based on the • comparison of PV systems at different locations
monitoring data over a long period of 1 year
or longer than that. Important factors in PV performance
The most significant and direct impacts on PV
performance are:

• in-plane irradiance received by the PV array

• the PV cell temperature
• shading losses due to soiling or snow

Secondary factors that may enter the assessment are:

• clipping of the inverter, if the inverter cannot

output more than a certain power in [W]
• curtailment; the network may not accept the
available power
• losses (see below)

Figure 1 Cover of the new IEC 61724-1 standard,

published in February 2017

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Performance model, ratio, index IEC TS 61724-2:2016(E)

IEC uses the following definitions: This standard defines a procedure for measuring
• performance model gives a mathematical and analysing the power [W] production of a
description of the electrical output of the PV photovoltaic system with the goal of evaluating
system as a function of meteorological the quality of the PV system performance.
conditions, the system components, and the It does so by comparing the measured power
system design. This model is typically agreed produced to the expected power on a few
upon in advance by the stakeholders of the relatively sunny days. The point of this test is
test. that it can be done fast. The minimum test
• predicted output is the output for a given duration is 2 days, provided that these days meet
period as calculated using the performance certain boundary conditions.
model based on historical weather data. Panels have to be “nominally clean”, operation
• expected output is the output calculated has to be unconstrained (no clipping), the panels
using the performance model when entering should be unshaded. Irradiance must be between
measured weather data. pre-defined limits such as 0.5 to 1.2 TRC (Test
• rating performance as specified by the Reference Condition) or for example above 450
manufacturer, usually confirmed via the W/m2. In this test we accept a higher uncertainty
name-plate on the panel, or as agreed upon than the test of IEC 71724-3. Hukseflux suggests
by a supplier, typically under reference working with irradiances of > 600 W/m2 only.
conditions such as STC Standard Test The expected angle of incidence of the solar
Conditions. beam then is around 52°, which is lower than the
• performance ratio (PR) is the ratio of Brewster’s angle for glass, which is 56°. Working
measured output to expected output for a at high angles of incidence reduces uncertainty
given reporting period based on the system due to the variation of reflectance, and reduces
name-plate rating the uncertainty of the POA irradiance
• performance index is the ratio of measured measurement,
output to expected output for a given A typical test outcome is a PPI involving a
reporting period based on a more detailed temperature correction and includes an expanded
model of system performance than the uncertainty.
performance ratio
• PPI performance based on power, Power IEC TS 61724-3:2016(E)
Performance Index This standard defines a procedure for measuring
• EPI performance based on energy, Energy the energy [kWh] production of a photovoltaic
Performance Index system and for comparison to expected electrical
energy production under actual weather
IEC 61724-1:2017(E) conditions over a year or more. A practical
This standard outlines requirements for reporting period is 1 or multiple years.
measuring equipment (sensors), methods, and The test offers a full assessment of electricity
terminology for performance monitoring and production. It covers all operating conditions, and
analysis of photovoltaic (PV) systems. In offers insight in performance under all weather
addition, it serves as a basis for other standards conditions, or times of the year. It also offers a
which rely upon the data collected, such as picture how other factors, such as maintenance,
61724-2 and 61724-3. plant degradation and hardware failures impact
It addresses sensors, installation, and accuracy the plant performance.
for monitoring equipment in addition to measured The expected electrical energy is calculated with
parameter data acquisition and quality checks a model; a simple temperature corrected PR can
(calibration and cleaning), calculated parameters, still have misleading variations due to seasonal
and performance metrics. effects and local conditions. More complex
models, such as the Sandia PV Array
Performance Model (SAPM) the System Advisor
Model (SAM) and PVsyst, take into account
measured weather conditions along with
estimates for soiling and degradation.
In IEC 61724-3 the energy production is
characterized separately for times when the
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system is operating (available) and times when Yields and yield losses
the system is not operating (unavailable). Models and test reports may involve yields and
A typical test outcome is a set op performance losses. Yields are ratios of an energy quantity to
indicators, most importantly a yearly “in service the array power rating P0. They indicate actual
EPI” including an estimated expanded array operation relative to its rated capacity.
uncertainty. Yields have units of [kWh/kW], where units of
kWh in the numerator describe the energy output
and units of kW in the denominator describe the
system power rating. The yield ratio indicates the
equivalent amount of time during which the array
would be required to operate at P0 to provide the
particular energy quantity measured during the
reporting period.

• YA: [kWh/kW] PV array energy yield (DC per

rated DC)
• Yf: [kWh/kW] final system yield (AC per
rated DC)
• Yr : [kWh/kW] reference yield (DC)

Yield losses are calculated by subtracting yields.

The yield losses also have units of [kWh/kW].
They represent the amount of time the array
would be required to operate at its rated power
P0 to provide for the respective losses during the
reporting period.
Figure 2 Hukseflux model SR30 is the first heated
pyranometer, compliant with the requirements of IEC • LC: [kWh/kW] array capture loss (Yr – YA)
61724-1 for Class A monitoring systems. It overcomes • LBOS: [kWh/kW] balance of system (BOS)
a typical problem in freezing conditions: ice loss (YA – Yf)
accumulation on the pyranometer dome surface
reduces data availability. At the front a new design with Clipping and Curtailment
recirculating ventilation.
In some cases the operation of inverters is a
bottleneck. They can only supply power within a
Parameter definition in IEC certain range. If the power hits the upper limit of
• in-plane irradiance Gi or POA: [W/m2] the this range, we call this condition “constrained
sum of direct, diffuse, and ground-reflected operation”. In case of clipping: consider reporting
irradiance incident upon an inclined surface performance metrics based on Eout as well as EA.
parallel to the plane of the modules in the PV Curtailment may involve periods of reduced
array, also known as plane-of-array (POA) grid/load demand or availability. The system
irradiance generates power but cannot supply it to the
• Hi : [kWh/m2] in-plane irradiation network. For purposes of performance
• EA : [kWh] Energy output from PV system assessments and performance guarantees,
(DC) irradiation and yield sums should be calculated
• Eout : [kWh] Energy output from PV system with such periods excluded.
(AC), so after the inverter
• P0 : [kW] array power rating (DC) the total Traditional Performance Ratio
DC power output of all installed PV modules Indicates the overall effect of losses on the
at the power rating reference condition, system output and is the quotient of the system’s
assumed to be standard test conditions (STC final yield Yf to its reference yield Yr
reference values irradiance 1 000 W/m2, at
PR = Yf / Yr = (Eout / P0) / (Hi / Gi,ref )
normal incidence, PV cell temperature 25 °C),
typically as given on the name plate. Traditional PR neglects array temperature,
• P0, AC : [kW] array power rating (AC) typically resulting in seasonal variation.

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Temperature-Corrected Performance Ratio Use of pyranometers

Seasonal variation of the traditional PR is General recommendations for choice, calibration
removed by calculating a temperature-corrected and cleaning of pyranometers of IEC 61724-1 are
performance ratio: summarised in a separate note.

PR’ STC = (Eout / Ck P0) / (Hi / Gi,ref )

The Hukseflux pyranometer model SR30 is
compatible with the requirements of Class A
with
monitoring systems.

Ck = 1 + γ × (Tmod,k – Treference)
IEC 61724-2 recognises in 6.5.3 that special
Using 25 °C as Tref gives PR’STC. attention should be given to the irradiance data.
This term Ck corrects for difference between It recommends performing a regular quality
actual temperature and STC temperature used check using a comparison of multiple instruments
for power rating. The value of γ is usually on a clear day. In particular false readings due to
negative and of the order of -0.3%/K. instrument shading should be removed from the
dataset.
Module temperature is correlated with irradiance, At the location of all POA measurements, IEC
so in case the performance is modelled; you 61724-3, clause 5 requires measurement of the
must use a weighted average. PV panels may local albedo to verify that it is representative of
rise up to 20 °C above ambient temperature. the albedo of the total power plant, fits the
assumptions made in modelling, and to use the
Cell temperatures are typically 1 °C to 3 °C measurement in the uncertainty evaluation of the
higher than the temperature measured on the performance test.
module's rear surface, depending on the module
construction. The temperature difference may About Hukseflux
best be estimated as a function of irradiance, Hukseflux Thermal Sensors offers measurement
using the thermal conductivity of the module solutions for the most challenging applications.
materials. Suggestions for this can be found in We design and supply sensors as well as test &
IEC 61724-2 Annex A. measuring systems, and offer related services
such as engineering and consultancy. Our main
Annual temperature-Corrected area of expertise is measurement of heat transfer
and thermal quantities such as solar radiation,
Performance Ratio
heat flux and thermal conductivity. Hukseflux is
Approximates the value that would be obtained
ISO 9001:2015 certified. Hukseflux sensors,
for traditional PR evaluated over one full year, by
systems and services are offered worldwide via
compensating for seasonal variation.
our office in Delft, the Netherlands and local
distributors.
Where can I order the standards?
The standards can be purchased from the IEC
Webshop.
Would you like more information?
E-mail us at: [email protected]

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