Atmospheric Intelligence for Hybrid Power Advancements (AIHPA): Volume 6 (Photovoltaic Characterization: Voltage, Current, Thermal, and IR)

Author(s):

Robert S. Jane, Gail T. Vaucher, Michael S. D’Arcy, Michael S. Lee, and Morris M. Berman

Abstract:

The DoD is the largest energy consumer in the U.S. Federal Government, using 613.712 trillion British thermal units in FY23. In the context of great power competition, reliable energy delivery at the tactical edge is a critical operational enabler requiring hybridized, resilient microgrids. This report details the thermal characterization of an operational photovoltaic array intended for contested edge environments. Crucially, this investigation demonstrates that standard manufacturer power models are insufficient for operational prediction due to unmodeled cell temperature dynamics, especially at lower irradiance levels. To resolve this limitation, this work develops a validated lumped-parameter thermal model and demonstrates that tactical forward-looking IR thermal imagers provide an effective, noninvasive method for monitoring array-level thermal behavior in the field.