The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE released a new version of the frequently used SmartCalc.CTM. The software tool is used for computer-assisted dsign and creation of virtual prototypes during module development.

The new release includes bifaciality and arbitrary operation conditions. Users can now investigate the effect of a second photoactive side of the solar cell within the module stack. Unchanged remain flexibility and user friendliness: The module setup can be loaded from database files or edited directly in a graphical user interface.

The new analytical models not only allow bifacial solar cells but also include a more detailed analysis of backsheets and their impact on module power.  Selection of the irradiance spectrum, the angle of incidence distribution as well as the intensity of the incident light now allows the evaluation of PV module behavior at non-Standard Testing Conditions (STC).

The determination of operation temperatures within solar modules plays a vital role in evaluating new module concepts. A novel thermal model has been implemented allowing the calculation of the module temperatures depending on operation conditions and module setup. The power output of half-cell, shingle or glass-glass-modules deviates from conventional modules at most operating conditions. Some module concepts may have a disadvantage at STC, yet under realistic environmental conditions may improve or even outperform. The new SmartCalc.CTM version now can consider thermal effects in the module efficiency analysis. With this feature, the impact of thermal material properties and module design on module power output can be evaluated at various environmental conditions.

Also the electrical models have been extended to cater to the increase in flexibility in operation conditions, in particular, the solar cell and cell interconnections. Low light, high temperature and new interconnection concepts are now modeled more accurately. This makes it possible to evaluate both cell and module losses directly in terms of peak power loss.

"With the calculation of the cell temperature, the results are much closer to reality. The added value of new technologies for the customer can thus be assessed very precisely. We succeeded in implementing bifaciality at exactly the right time, since this technology is spreading very quickly and a precise comparison of technologies is particularly important here," says Dr. Holger Neuhaus, Head of Department Module Technology. "The new functions allow the evaluation of a wider range of module types, interconnection and cell technologies in more diverse operating situations and thus represent an important tool for further optimization."

“We have feedback from our domestic and international partners who successfully use the software to increase module power and to prepare strategic decisions on technology roadmaps. We developed the newest features to further support them in their business with accessible, flexible and reliable expert models,” says Max Mittag, Head of the Module Efficiency Team at Fraunhofer ISE.