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PV Module Standoff and T98 Safety Maps for the United States (IEC 61730, 70 & 80 Celsius)
L o a d i n g
Organization
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) - view all
Update frequencyunknown
Last updated4 days ago
Format
Overview

This dataset provides high-resolution maps of modeled photovoltaic (PV) module standoff distance and associated thermal conditions across the United States for two thermal design scenarios (T98 = 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C), representing distinct module temperature limits used in PV system design. The data are derived from National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) weather inputs and processed using the PVDeG (Photovoltaic Degradation) modeling framework. Each scenario is provided as a separate NetCDF file and represents a distinct module temperature constraint used in system design and reliability assessments. For each scenario, the dataset contains: * Standoff distance (x, cm): required to achieve the specified T98 thermal threshold * T98_inf (degree C): 98th percentile module temperature for a theoretical rack-mounted configuration with infinite standoff * T98_0 (degree C): 98th percentile module temperature for a no-standoff configuration All variables are provided on a ~4 km spatial grid (904 - 2424 points), covering the continental United States and surrounding regions. The T98 metric represents the 98th percentile of modeled module operating temperature and is commonly used to evaluate thermal stress and inform design considerations related to safety standards such as IEC 61730. These data enable spatially resolved analysis of module thermal behavior, support optimization of mounting configurations (e.g., standoff distance and airflow), and provide insight into geographically varying thermal design constraints relevant to PV system reliability and safety.

IEC 61730NetCDFPVPVDeGT98United Statesanalysisdataenergyhigh resolutioninstallationmodule temperature limitmounting configurationphotovoltaicpowerprocessed dataresidentialsolarstandardstandoff distancethermal behaviourthermal conditions
Additional Information
KeyValue
Dcat Issued2026-04-13T06:00:00Z
Dcat Modified2026-04-23T20:14:46Z
Dcat Publisher NameNational Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR)
Guidhttps://data.openei.org/submissions/8659
Harvest Object Ida6c80840-1f6b-4855-85db-46641303728a
Harvest Source Id4eb7107f-a2b1-40e3-b36a-8161aa98a56e
Harvest Source TitleOpenEI Data Portal
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Trust Framework(s)None
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Data Sensitivity Classunknown
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Files
  • Standoff USA 70C.nc

  • Standoff USA 80C.nc

  • PV Degradation Tools - Module Standoff Calculation