The highest grid connected PV plant in the World at Jungfraujoch (3454 meters above sea level) was planned and realized by the PV laboratory of BFH-TI Burgdorf during summer and fall 1993. It has operated successfully with a 100% availability of energy production and monitoring data since Oct. 27, 1993.

Operating in high altitudes is a very hard stress for all the components. Components surviving in such a harsh environment should perform more reliably under normal operating conditions. By means of some modifications energy production of the plant could even be increased compared to the first year of operation. Annual energy production varied between 1274kWh/kWp in 1994 and 1537kWh/kWp in 2005, winter energy fraction between 44.6% and 50.7%. In 2005 annual final yield was 1537kWh/kWp, winter energy fraction 48.5% and mean performance ratio was 86.9% (relating to a Ref. Cell). Such figures for a PV plant in central Europe are very good and would also be nice for plants in southern Europe.

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Location:	Jungfraujoch; 3454 m
Start up:	27.10.1993
Module:	Siemens M75 (24 pieces)
PV generator power:	1 152 Wp (nominal)
Gross area:	9.65 m2
Orientation:	12°/27° west, 90° tilted
Inverter:	ASP TopClass 2500/4 Grid III (since 16.07.96) ASP TopClass 1800 (from 29.10.93 until 16.07.96)
Measured parameters:	Solar radiation into plane 1 and 2 with two pyranometers and two reference cells Module temperature and ambient temperature DC current of each array DC voltage AC power Line voltage