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Impact of module temperature coefficient of max. power point

  • Gabriel Vazquez
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05 Feb 2026 09:18 #14479 by Gabriel Vazquez
Hello,
I was curious about the impact of the temperature coefficient of max. power point under the "CEC Performance Model with User Entered Specifications" module setting. I have done some research into the CEC 5 parameter model, but I was unable to find any mention of this coefficient. I have however seen some other documentation referring to this coefficient as gamma, but have not been able to determine how this affects the output open-circuit voltage Voc. 
I can see that changing the value does affect the output Voc but would like some clarification as to how and why this is. How is the temperature coefficient of max. power point used to calculate the string open circuit voltage? And how, if at all, does this temperature coefficient relate to the temperature coefficients for Voc and Isc?

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  • Paul Gilman
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06 Feb 2026 11:09 #14488 by Paul Gilman
Hi Gabriel,

SAM's single diode module model does not use the temperature coefficient of maximum power. It uses the temperature coefficient of open circuit voltage and short circuit current.

For references to publications describing SAM's PV models, see sam.nlr.gov/photovoltaic/pv-publications.html .

Best regards,
Paul.

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