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small solar electric modules
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- 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)
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. - 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.
Related category
• SOLAR ENERGY AND POWER
Source: US Department of Energy
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