Environmental and Operational Factors That Affect the Performance of a Photovoltaic System

Photovoltaic installations are becoming an increasingly popular source of electricity around the world. The decision on where and how to install the modules and their location is made at the stage of building the installation and is crucial for obtaining the most beneficial effects of its operation. The choice of installation location and its geometry directly influence the following aspects, which determine maximum efficiency and thus economic benefits: solar irradiance, working cell temperature, shading, dust and soiling. Factors that have an unfavorable impact on the efficiency of a photovoltaic installation can be divided into those that should be taken into account at the design stage, such as the correct orientation and angle of inclination of the modules, and those that will play an important role during the use of the system: contamination of the front surface of the modules. This article discusses the impact of these factors and their importance for the proper operation of a photovoltaic installation.