Scribd
Upload
62 views8 pages

Renewable Lab Report

The document describes an experiment to determine the I-V and P-V characteristics curves of a photovoltaic array. Students will learn the properties of a PV array including its equivalent circuit and how solar irradiance and temperature affect the array through I-V measurements. The experiment involves taking readings while varying a rheostat's value to plot the voltage-current graph.

Uploaded by

Azmirul Morsalin Tanzil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
62 views8 pages

Renewable Lab Report

The document describes an experiment to determine the I-V and P-V characteristics curves of a photovoltaic array. Students will learn the properties of a PV array including its equivalent circuit and how solar irradiance and temperature affect the array through I-V measurements. The experiment involves taking readings while varying a rheostat's value to plot the voltage-current graph.

Uploaded by

Azmirul Morsalin Tanzil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Title: Determination of I-V and P-V Characteristics Curve of a Photovoltaic

(PV) Array.

Abstract:

In this experiment students will learn the properties of a photovoltaic (PV) array including its

equivalent circuit, I-V and P-V characteristics. The effects of solar irradiance and temperature

on a solar panel through the I-V characteristic measurement will also be investigated.

Introduction:

Incident sunlight can be converted into electricity by photovoltaic conversion using a solar

panel. The current (I) versus voltage (V) curve of a PV panel represents the possible

combinations of its current and voltage output. The power in a DC electrical circuit is the

product of the voltage and the current. There are two possible ways to determine the I-V

characteristic of a PV panel – (i) by using variable resistor (ii) by using a capacitor as a load.

In this experiment, students will use the first method for their practical experiment and using

MATLAB Simulink they will simulate the second method. Later on, the effect of solar

irradiance and temperature will be investigated.

Theory and Methodology:

A solar panel consists of individual cells that are large-area semiconductor diodes,

constructed so that light can penetrate into the region of the p-n junction. The junction formed

between the n-type silicon wafer and the p-type surface layer governs the diode

characteristics as well as the photovoltaic effect. Light is absorbed in the silicon, generating

both excess holes and electrons. These excess charges can flow through an external circuit to

produce power.
Fig. 1
shows the equivalent circuit to describe a solar cell. The diode current can be written as equation (1)
which comes from the standard I-V equation for a diode and is also illustrated in fig. 1.

𝐼𝑑 = 𝐼𝑜 (𝑒 𝐴𝑉𝑑 − 1) (1)

It is clear that the current I that flows to the external circuit is

𝐼 = 𝐼𝑆𝐶 − 𝐼𝑜 (𝑒 𝐴𝑉𝑑 − 1) (2) Where


ISC is the short circuit current, I0 is the reverse saturation current of the diode and A is temperature-
dependent constant, A = q/KT [1].

If the solar cell is open circuited, then all of the ISC flows through the diode and produces an open circuit
voltage VOC. If the solar cell is short circuited, then no current flows through the diode and all of the
short circuit current ISC flows through the short circuited path.

There are two methods to determine the I-V characteristics curve of a PV arrays.

Method 1:
l• Initially, S1 and S2 are open, measure open circuit voltage and current. i.e. I L= 0 and

VL= VOC

• Close S2 and measure current and voltage using ammeter and voltmeter while varying

RL

• Finally, Close S1 for a short period of time and record voltage and current. This will

provide short circuit voltage and current. i.e. I L = ISC and VL = 0

Method 2:

• S1 is closed

• Initially capacitor acts as short circuit path hence ISC can be recorded.
• As the charge of capacitor increases, current decreases

• Continuous data logger is used to record and store the corresponding voltage and

current as capacitor’s charge increases.

• When capacitor is fully charge, it behaves like open circuit i.e. VC = VOC

Solar radiation must be constant throughout the experiment of both methods.

Apparatus:

1. PV array [20 Wp]

2. Ammeter or Clamp meter

3. Voltmeter

4. Single pole Single Through switch [ 2 Nos.]

5. Rheostat

6. Light Set

Precautions:

The circuit setup contains 220V. So we had to be cautious about that.

Circuit Diagram:

Experimental Procedure:

1. Construct the circuit as shown in Figure 5.

2. Initially keep the S2 switch open and close the S1 switch for very short period of time.

3. Quickly record the ammeter / clamp meter and voltmeter reading and open the S1 switch.

4. Set the value of rheostat at its minimum value and close the switch S2.
5. Again record the ammeter / clamp meter and voltmeter reading.

6. Now vary the value of rheostat from its minimum to maximum value (until you get almost zero
ampere current reading) and fill up the data table.

7. Finally plot voltage vs. current in graph paper.

Data Table:

No. Value of Rheostat Current (A) Voltage (Volt)


(Ω)

Simulation:

In simulation, method 2 (as described in theory section) will be used to obtain I-V

characteristics curve. Simulation result will be used to evaluate the experimental result.
MATLAB Simulink or PSIM can be used to simulate the circuit as shown in figure 4.
Questions for report writing:

1. Find out the Open circuit voltage and short circuit current of the PV array from

experimental and simulation result.

Ans:

2. Find out the Maximum Power Point Voltage (Vmpp) and Maximum Power Point

Current (Impp) of the PV array from experimental and simulation result.

Ans:

3. Calculate the Maximum Power (Pmpp) of the PV array.

Ans:

4. Why the irradiance is kept constant throughout the experiment?

Ans:
Discussion:

This experiment was about how to determine the I-V and P-V characteristics curve of a photovoltaic
array. We learnt how to investigate the effects of solar irradiance and temperature on a solar panel by
using I-V characteristic measurement. We took several readings of current and voltage from ammeter and
voltmeter respectively by varying the value of rheostat. Finally using these readings, the voltage vs.
current graph can be plotted.

Reference(s):

[1] Gilbert M. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient Electric Power System,” Wiley, 2004

[2] Kalogirou, Soteris A. Solar energy engineering: processes and systems. Academic Press, 2009

You might also like