Ptc is often referred to as pvusa test condition but more explicitly it is photovoltaics for utility scale applications test condition.
Solar panel ptc rating list.
It wasn t that the manufacturers were being dishonest it s just that pvusa uses different parameters that they feel.
Most do list stc ratings as the standard test condition it is just that.
Pv manufacturers use standard test conditions or stc to rate their pv products.
The jinko solar jkm260p 60 panel mentioned above is at the high end of the scale ptc stc 0 916.
Ptc solar stc rating and temperature coefficient.
Factors that affect solar panel efficiency.
All solar panels receive a nameplate power rating indicating the amount of power they produce under industry standard test conditions.
The ptc rating represents a more real life condition of 1 000 watts per square meter solar irradiance 1 5 air mass and 20 degrees c.
They are very important when more than one solar panel is to be used together in an array.
Most residential and commercial solar panels on the market have power ratings in the range of 250 to 400 watts.
Ptc are 1 000 watts per square meter solar irradiance 20 degrees c air temperature and wind speed of 1 meter per second at 10 meters above ground level.
So you ve made the decision to go solar.
Key metrics for comparing solar panels.
If designed right a solar power system is a great long term investment with both financial and environmental benefits.
A higher power rating means that the panels are more effective at producing power.
How does the california energy commission calculate the ptc rating.
For example a solar panel that had a manufacturer provided stc standard test condition or labeled rating of 100 watts would have their panel tested by pvusa and might be given a ptc rating or pvusa rating of 89 4 watts.
Ambient temperature at 10 meters above ground level and wind speed of 1 meter per second.
Generally if no ptc value is listed in the specifications for a photovoltaic panel you can expect it to be about 10 to 15 percent less efficient than the stc rating.
As the panel heats up as they all do in the real world its output drops.
And as panels cool their output goes up this type of power drop off happens for all panels.
After a product is manufactured it is often subjected to a.
Although ptc ratings offer a realistic view of photovoltaic output they don t indicate exact energy production.
As you can see the canadian solar 260 watt polycrystalline module has a ptc rating of 239 1 watts and an stc rating of 260 watts.
Stc stands for standard test conditions.