View source for The Open Solar Outdoors Test Field

'''The Open Solar Outdoors Test Field''' (OSOTF) is a project organized under [[open-source principles]], which is a fully grid-connected test system that continuously monitors the output of many [[solar photovoltaic modules]] and correlates their performance to a long list of highly accurate meteorological readings.
==History==
As the [[solar photovoltaic]] industry grows, there is an increased demand for high-quality research in solar systems design and optimization in realistic (and sometimes extreme) outdoor environments such as in Canada.<ref name="cangeo">[http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/jun12/solar_panels.asp Solar panels for all seasons] - Canadian Geographic May 2012</ref> To answer this need, a partnership has formed the [[Open Solar Outdoors Test Field]] (OSOTF). The OSOTF was originally developed with a strong partnership between the [[Queen's Applied Sustainability Research Group]] run by [[Joshua M. Pearce]] at Queen's University (now at [[Michigan Tech]]) and the [http://searckingston.ca/ Sustainable Energy Applied Research Centre] (SEARC) at St. Lawrence College headed by Adegboyega Babasola.
This collaboration has grown rapidly to include multiple industry partners and the OSOTF has been redesigned to provide critical data and research for the team.
The OSOTF is a fully grid-connected test system, which continuously monitors the output of over 100 photovoltaic modules and correlates their performance to a long list of highly accurate meteorological readings. The teamwork has resulted in one of the largest systems in the world for this detailed level of analysis, and can provide valuable information on the actual performance of photovoltaic modules in real-world conditions. Unlike many other projects, the OSOTF is organized under [[open source]] principles.
''All data and analysis when completed will be made freely available to the entire photovoltaic community and the general public.''<ref>Joshua M. Pearce, Adegboyega Babasola, Rob Andrews, “'''[http://nciia.org/sites/default/files/features/conference/2012/papers/Pearce-Babasola-Andrews-queensu.pdf Open Solar Photovoltaic Systems Optimization]'''” ''Proceedings of the 16th Annual National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance Conference, Open 2012'', pp. 1-7.[https://mtu.academia.edu/JoshuaPearce/Papers/1555998/Open_Solar_Photovoltaic_Systems_Optimization open access]</ref>
The first project for the OSOTF quantifies the losses due to snowfall of a solar photovoltaic system, generalizes these losses to any location with weather data and recommends best practices for system design in snowy climates.<ref name="cangeo" /><ref>Rob Andrews and Joshua M. Pearce, “[http://www.ieee-pvsc.org/ePVSC/manuscripts/MePVSC566_0521131900.pdf Prediction of Energy Effects on Photovoltaic Systems due to Snowfall Events]{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}” in: ''2012 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)''. Presented at the 2012 38th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), pp. 003386 –003391. Available: [https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6318297 DOI] [https://mtu.academia.edu/JoshuaPearce/Papers/1990041/Prediction_of_Energy_Effects_on_Photovoltaic_Systems_due_to_Snowfall_Events open access]</ref> This work was accomplished by creating a synthetic day using empirical data from the OSOTF.<ref>Rob Andrews, Andrew Pollard, Joshua M. Pearce, “Improved parametric empirical determination of module short circuit current for modelling and optimization of solar photovoltaic systems”, ''Solar Energy'' '''86''', 2240-2254 (2012). [https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.04.016 DOI], [https://mtu.academia.edu/JoshuaPearce/Papers/1853740/Improved_parametric_empirical_determination_of_module_short_circuit_current_for_modelling_and_optimization_of_solar_photovoltaic_systems open access]</ref><ref>http://www.appropedia.org/Effects_of_snow_on_photovoltaic_performance  Effects of snow on photovoltaic performance</ref> This application of the OSOTF has been covered extensively in the media.<ref>Examples: [http://www.constructioncanada.net/newsletters/78-august-3-2011/576-shining-a-light-on-weathers-impact-on-photovoltaics Construction Canada],  [http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/05/teamwork-in-the-solar-photovoltaic-industry Renewable Energy World], [http://kingstonherald.com/release/queens-university-solar-panel-testing-201034714 Kingston Herald], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130414072559/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/16/idUS140237+16-May-2011+BW20110516 Reuters], [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/05/16/prweb8439843.DTL San Francisco Chronicle], [http://www.txchnologist.com/volumes/solar-power/polar-solar Txchnologis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903203845/http://www.txchnologist.com/volumes/solar-power/polar-solar |date=2011-09-03 }}, [https://www.thestar.com/article/944542--overcoming-solar-panels-winter-blahs  Toronto Star]</ref>
==Partners ==
This system has been made possible by the [http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada] and contributions and collaborations from:
* [http://advancedsolarinvestments.com/ Advanced Solar Investments Ltd.]
* [http://www.ayainstruments.com/ AYA Instruments]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130422181723/http://calamaconsulting.ca/ Calama Consulting]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120920041331/http://www2.dupont.com/DuPont_Home/en_CA/ Dupont Canada]
* [http://eiqenergy.com/ eIQ Energy]
* [http://www.heliene.ca/ Heliene Inc.]
* [http://www.kaco-newenergy.com/ KACO New Energy Inc.]
* [http://www.nanofilmtechnology.com/ Nanofilm]
* [[Michigan Technological University]]
* [http://pvperformancelabs.com/ Photovoltaic Performance Labs Inc.]
* [https://archive.today/20130202063107/http://www.schueco.com/web/ca/unternehmen/schueco/schueco_canada Schueco Canada]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110916022947/http://www.silfab.eu/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=291&Itemid=145 Silfab Ontario]
* [http://www.soventix.ca/ Soventix Canada Inc.]
* [[Sustainable Energy Applied Research Centre]] at [http://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/ St. Lawrence College]
* [http://www.sustainableenergy.com/ Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd.]
* [[QAS|Queen's Applied Sustainability Group]]
* [http://www.upb.edu/ Universidad Privada Boliviana]
* [http://www.uni-solar.com/ Uni-Solar Ovonic LLC]
The development of this test facility is a testament to the commitment of the photovoltaic industry to continuous innovation, and the researchers hope that it will be a valuable tool for ensuring the development of a sustainable power system worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.appropedia.org/OSOTF |title = Open Solar Outdoors Test Field - Appropedia: The sustainability wiki}}</ref>
== Open Solar Outdoors Test Field ==
The [[SEARC]] [[Open Solar Outdoors Test Field]] consists of two discreet test beds, the largest of which is located on the roof of the new Wind Turbine and Trades building at St.Lawrence College and which has room for 60 commercial PV panels, which are divided between eight angles of 5.10,15,20,30,40,50 and 60 degrees. Live video for the test field is openly available [https://web.archive.org/web/20120724163417/http://snowstudy.ati.sl.on.ca/ online]. Full data access available [https://web.archive.org/web/20120721173548/http://searckingston.ca/osotf.php  here].
The second test field is located on a flat rooftop at St.Lawrence College and consists of two commercial flat roof ballasted systems. Live video of this test field is also available [https://web.archive.org/web/20120724163342/http://snowstudyballast.ati.sl.on.ca/ online]
In addition the  [[Queen's Innovation Park Test Site]] which was developed as part of a preliminary study on the effects of snow on photovoltaic performance funded by [http://www.sustainableenergy.com/ Sustainable Energy Technologies]. It consists of 16 panels mounted at angles from 0 to 70 degrees, with two each at increments of 10 degrees. By monitoring panel output, solar influx, snow fall and meteorological factors a loss due to snowfall can be determined for a general system at a variety of angles. In addition, thermal panel measurements lead to a better understanding of snow shedding mechanisms. A series of analysis algorithms have been developed which allow for constant data mining to determine factors such as snow coverage ratio using image analysis, performance ratio, and estimated losses/gains due to snowfall. A detailed description of the sensors and measurements used in the study can be seen below.
== Specifications ==
The [[Open Solar Outdoors Test Field]] is designed to be a state-of-the-art outdoors test facility which makes this site one of the premier PV test beds in North America. The capabilities of this test bed are shown in the following table.
{| style="border-spacing:0;"
| style="background-color:#333333;border-top:0.035cm solid #808080;border-bottom:0.035cm solid #808080;border-left:0.035cm solid #808080;border-right:none;padding:0.049cm;"| '''Measurement'''
| style="background-color:#333333;border-top:0.035cm solid #808080;border-bottom:0.035cm solid #808080;border-left:0.035cm solid #808080;border-right:none;padding:0.049cm;"| '''Device'''
| style="background-color:#333333;border-top:0.035cm solid #808080;border-bottom:0.035cm solid #808080;border-left:0.035cm solid #808080;border-right:none;padding:0.049cm;"| '''Description'''
| style="background-color:#333333;border:0.035cm solid #808080;padding:0.049cm;"| '''Accuracy'''
|-
| style="border-top:0.002cm solid #000000;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Solar Radiation-Direct'''
| style="border-top:0.002cm solid #000000;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| CMP-22 Pyranometer
| style="border-top:0.002cm solid #000000;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| The highest quality secondary standard device, calibration directly traceable to the World Radiometric Reference in Davos, Switzerland
| style="border:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| <1%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Solar Radiation-Diffuse'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| CMP-22 Pyranometer
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| The highest quality secondary standard device, calibration directly traceable to the World Radiometric Reference in Davos, Switzerland, fitted with an adjustable shadow band
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| <1%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Solar Radiation-Albedo'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| CMP-11 Pyranometer
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Secondary standard device, calibration directly traceable to the World Radiometric Reference in Davos, Switzerland.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| <2%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Wind Speed and direction'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| RM-young wind monitor
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| WMO standard integrated wind speed and direction sensor.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| +/- 3&nbsp;m/s
+/- 3 °
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Temperature/RH'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Rotronic HygroClip
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Integrated temperature/ RH sensor with radiation shield.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| RH: +/- 1.5%
Temp: +/- 0.2 C
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Snow Depth'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| SR50 ultrasonic snow depth sensor
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Provides accurate readings of snow on ground using calibrated ultrasonic pulses. Can give total snow depth and accumulation/settling rate.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| +/- 0.4%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Data Acquisition System'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Campbell Scientific CR1000
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| The industry standard for high-accuracy environmental monitoring. Expanded with multiplexers to accept 106+ point measurements
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| +/- 0.12%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Photographs'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| StarDot NetCam IP camera
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| High-resolution camera, photographing array at 5-minute intervals. Photos will be used with customized image analysis software to give: Covered area, accumulation rate, sliding rate.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| 3 megapixel sensor
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Panel Temperature'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Custom T-type thermocouple
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Monitoring of panel temperature profiles using Special Limits of Error T-type thermocouple wire. Attached to solid-state multiplexers with integrated cold-junction compensation.
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| +/- 0.5 C
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Panel Power monitoring'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Custom Transducers with MPPT
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| The panels are monitored using a proprietary DC power transducer, calibrated using instrumentation traceable to NIST. This transducer measures Vmp and Imp at the regular collection intervals. The use of a 99.7% efficient MPPT device ensures that the DC maximum power point of the panel under any real world condition is known
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| <1%
|-
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| '''Spectral Distribution'''
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| Ocean Optics USB4000 Spectrometer
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:none;padding:0.097cm;"| High quality spectrometer allows for monitoring of spectral effects within the range of PV sensitivities. This can be extremely useful when monitoring practical performance ratios and when investigating the effects of Albedo on PV performance
| style="border-top:none;border-bottom:0.002cm solid #000000;border-left:0.002cm solid #000000;border-right:0.002cm solid #000000;padding:0.097cm;"| >99.8 % corrected linearity, spectral range 200&nbsp;nm-1100&nbsp;nm
|}
==External links==
* [http://www.appropedia.org/Open_Solar_Outdoors_Test_Field OSOTF at Appropedia]
* [http://www.appropedia.org/SEARC_OSOTF_Design_and_Operations_Manual SEARC OSOTF Design and Operations Manual]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Open Solar Outdoors Test Field, The}}
[[Category:Photovoltaics]]
[[Category:Solar energy]]