Distribution of the annual specific yield in Germany from 2012 to 2018 and for the long-term average.

The photovoltaic (PV) sector is a central pillar for the global energy transition process which aims to reach theclimate change mitigation goals. Roof-mounted systems in particular can make a significant contribution togreenhouse gas-free energy generation. By the end of 2018, more than 1.5 million rooftop systems have beeninstalled in Germany. The yield data measured by monitoring systems and provided by web-based online systemsfrom 2012 to 2018, as well as the configuration information of 23,944 PV systems, are evaluated in this pub-lication. Long-term indicators are derived from the spatial and temporal distribution of the yield data. The yieldanalysis shows a typical south-north gradient in Germany. 2018 was the year with the highest yield, 2013 theyear with the lowest. The annual specific yield varies between 816 kWh/kWpin 2017 at the Baltic Sea and1049 kWh/kWpin 2018 in Bavaria. If analysis of data evaluation is narrowed to one to two years, a deviation offive percent and more from the long-term yield can be observed. In order to obtain detailed information on thequality of PV systems, at leastfive years of data are required. The yield data evaluation can be used by PV systemoperators and owners to identify an undersupply of their PV system and to initiate countermeasures.

Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.10.019