Abstract
In this paper an energy balance model to predict the cell temperature modules of photovoltaic water pumping system was developed. Results from this model are experimentally validated and also compared to results from published cell temperature models. The models were used to predict real-time performance from a PV water pumping systems in the desert of Medenine, south of Tunisia using 60-min intervals of measured performance data during one complete year. Statistical analysis of the predicted results and measured data highlight possible sources of errors and the limitations and/or adequacy of existing models, to describe the temperature and efficiency of PV-cells and consequently, the accuracy of performance of PV water pumping systems prediction models. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.