Thermal Patterns in PV Arrays Operating in Tropical Conditions: A Preliminary Approach

This paper presents preliminary results of a field study focused in the study of the heat patterns of a PV array in tropical conditions. The research system is comprised by four sub arrays of four mono-crystalline Silicon PV Modules. The system was installed facing to the South direction in a static configuration according to the geographical location of the study site. A set of temperature sensors were installed on the back of the PV module in order to monitor their thermal patterns on daily basics. Ambient temperature, solar radiation on the PV surface and on the horizontal surface as well as the wind speed and wind direction have been also monitored concurrently with the thermal patterns of the whole PV array under study.