A Detailed Analysis of the Modified Economic Method for Assessing the Performance of Photovoltaic Module Enhancing Techniques

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the modified economic method (F-MCE) for evaluating the performance of photovoltaic module (PV)-enhancing techniques, aiming to address existing research gaps. The impact of influential parameters on the F-MCE is examined through illustrative examples. These parameters include the output power of a single solar cell without an enhancer, output power of a PV with an enhancer, manufacturing cost of the PV enhancer, one-watt cost of PV power, and maximum output power of a solar cell with an enhancer equivalent to maximum output power at standard test conditions (STC). The results of this study reveal that the output power of a single solar cell without an enhancer, number of solar cells with an enhancer in the PV, and manufacturing cost of the PV enhancer have a proportional relationship with the F-MCE. As these parameters increase, the F-MCE also increases, which negatively affects the cost-effectiveness of the PV enhancer, leading to lower performance. So, it is advisable to maintain the values of these parameters at lower levels. Conversely, the output power of a PV with an enhancer and the one-watt cost of PV power exhibit an inverse proportional relationship with the F-MCE. As the output power of a PV with an enhancer and the one-watt cost of PV power increase, the F-MCE decreases, which positively affects the cost-effectiveness of the PV enhancer, leading to higher performance. Hence, it is recommended to keep these two parameters high for optimal performance. In conclusion, the FMCE may have potential for application by designers and manufacturers of PV enhancers.