Cell temperature
Modelling recommendations
Some PV simulation software, such as PVsyst, offer the opportunity to adjust U-values in the thermal model. For areas with strong winds, it is recommended to consider an increase in U-value in order to take wind speed into account.
For the cell temperature model in PVsyst, we recommend considering an increase in U-value for freestanding systems in areas with strong winds (> average 5 m/s at 10m height) from 29 to 40 W/m2K) [1].
Some PV simulation software use a different thermal model to estimate cell temperature (e.g. PV*SOL) or do not allow for adjustment of the U-value parameter.
Background: State of the art & knowledge gaps
Cell temperature modelling is commonly performed in commercial software using models based on heat transfer coefficients (U-values). These coefficients depend on climatic conditions, and ongoing work within FME Solar is investigating whether Nordic conditions should be explicitly accounted for in U-values or other aspects of cell temperature modelling. Resent research within floating PV systems emphasizes the importance of considering wind speed, particularly for free standing systems and at sites with heightened wind speeds. However, in most commercial modelling software, wind dependent effects are not fully considered, partly due to limitations in the available wind data (e.g. in PVsyst).
ReFERENCES
Last update: 27.4.2026