As with all products manufactured, there are testing standards for all the various types of solar panels is use today. Two common testing standards exist: STC and NOCT.
STC refers to Standard Test Conditions. Under STC, the following testing conditions apply:
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1 |
Operating temperature of 250C or 770F |
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2 |
Solar irradiance of 1000W/m2 |
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3 |
Atmospheric density of 1.5 |
NOCT refers to Normal Operating Cell Temperature. The NOCT testing conditions replicates a more realistic field conditions with respect to solar panels performance. Under the NOCT, the following testing conditions apply:
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1 |
Operating temperature of 450C |
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2 |
Solar irradiance of 1000W/m2 |
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3 |
Atmospheric density of 1.5 |
Under the NOCT, performance of the solar panels is 85-90% STC