Small Solar Electric Modules
In addition to solar cells, a typical photovoltaic (PV) module or solar panel consists of these components:
- A transparent top surface, usually glass
- An encapsulant—usually thin sheets of ethyl vinyl acetate that hold together the top surface, solar cells, and rear surface
- A rear layer—a thin polymer sheet, typically Tedlar, that prevents the ingress of water and gases
- A frame around the outer edge, typically aluminum.
Energy Performance Ratings
Energy performance ratings for PV modules include the following:
Peak watt (Wp)
Normal operating cell temperature (NOCT)
Measures a module's nominal operating cell temperature after the module first equilibrates with a specified ambient temperature. It results in a lower watt value than the peak-watt rating, but it is probably more realistic.
AMPM Standard
Measures the performance of a solar module under more realistic operating conditions. It considers the whole day rather than "peak" sunshine hours, based on the description of a standard solar global-average day (or a practical global average) in terms of light levels, ambient temperature, and air mass.
Measures the maximum power of a module under laboratory conditions of relatively high light level, favorable air mass, and low cell temperature. These conditions are not typical in the real world.