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Anhalt University becomes the third test site globally under the “TruePowerTM” alliance, which brings together leading research institutes and manufacturers to develop a rating system for the energy yield of PV modules and systems.
Bernburg, 9 April 2018 – The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore’s national institute for applied solar energy research and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany) today officially opened a joint photovoltaic (PV) test field under the “TruePowerTM” alliance. The site is located in Bernburg on the premises of the combined heat and power plant Stadtwerke Bernburg, which are also partner in the project.
The “TruePowerTM” alliance was initiated and is driven by SERIS. It aims at understanding the effects of the environmental conditions on the actual (“true”) power delivered by PV modules and systems in different climates. For energy yield assessments, and eventually investment decisions, knowledge of the actual generated energy per year rather than the rated peak power under standard test conditions (STC) in the laboratory is much more relevant. However, the actual energy output depends strongly on the geographic location of the system. For that, outdoor testing facilities on both module and system level in the three most important climate zones are required: after having commissioned such high-precision outdoor testing facilities in the tropics (in Singapore) and in a desert environment (in Alice Springs, Australia), the missing site for temperate climates is now installed in Bernburg, Germany, approximately 150 km southwest of Berlin. Some of the world’s leading PV manufacturers are collaborating in the project and are field-testing their modules within the “TruePowerTM” alliance.
The test set-up consists of high-precision measurement equipment for individual PV modules and strings of modules, including: PV module temperatures, various DC characteristics (including full I-V measurements every 10 seconds) and cumulative energy yield on both the DC and AC sides. At the same time, a comprehensive set of meteorological parameters are recorded, using high-end equipment, such as pyranometers (horizontal, in-plane), Si sensors (horizontal, in-plane), pyrheliometer, spectro-radiometer, UV radiometer, as well as other meteorological sensors (ambient temperature, wind speed & direction, humidity, rainfall).
“I am very pleased to have the ‘temperate’ site of the ‘TruePower’ alliance at Bernburg, Germany, together with Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, our long-term trusted collaboration partner”, said Dr Thomas Reindl, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SERIS and Founder and Principal Investigator of the “TruePowerTM” alliance. “We want to develop a new rating methodology for PV modules and systems, which is based on the “actual energy produced” in a specific location rating rather than the classic “power” rating in standardised, but not very realistic indoor test conditions. This will be the next frontier for differentiation amongst PV module manufacturers and will be much more relevant for technology and investment decisions.”, he continued.
“We are proud to be a partner in the worldwide ‘TruePower’ alliance. As a university with a strong focus in PV education and research, this will enhance our capabilities in both areas”, said Professor Joerg Bagdahn, President of Anhalt University.
“As a municipal utility, we have been involved in solar power generation for many years and look forward to being a small part of the worldwide “TruePowerTM” alliance”, said Gerald Bieling, Chief Executive Officer of the Stadtwerke Bernburg.
About the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS)
The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s national institute for applied solar energy research. SERIS is supported by the National University of Singapore (NUS), National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). SERIS conducts research, development, testing and consulting on solar energy technologies and their integration into power systems and buildings. The institute’s R&D spectrum covers materials, components, processes, systems and services, with an emphasis on solar photovoltaic cells, modules and systems. SERIS is globally active but focuses on technologies and services for tropical regions, in particular for Singapore and South-East Asia. SERIS collaborates closely with universities, research organisations, government agencies and industry, both locally and globally.
For more information on SERIS, please visit www.seris.sg
About Anhalt University of Applied Science
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is located in Central Germany, in one of Germany’s most vibrant cultural and economic regions. Traditionally, this where a particular focus has been placed on combining science and innovation. With about 8,000 student including 2600 international students from more than 100 countries Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is one of Germany`s most international Universities. Anhalt University offers among 78 study programs also an English photovoltaic Master program. With three photovoltaic professorships it also provides comprehensive capabilities in the areas of photovoltaic material, technology and system research. Other research activities of the University are clustered in the areas of Life Sciences, Engineering Sciences and ICT / Media Sciences.
About Stadtwerke Bernburg
The Stadtwerke Bernburg supplies more than 30,000 customers in Bernburg and the surrounding area reliably with electricity, gas and district heating every day - around the clock and on fair terms. As a local energy supplier, we know the region and feel very much in touch with local people. Therefore, we are very involved in the Bernburg region and invest in pioneering techniques to enable a safe and environmentally friendly supply.
v. l.: Prof. Dr. Thomas Reindl, Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn, Gerald Bieling
Foto: Hochschule Anhalt_MuK
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Journalists, Scientists and scholars
Energy
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Research projects, Transfer of Science or Research
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