Experiment 2: Parallel Connection of Two Solar Modules

For the parallel connection, all positive and negative poles of the respective photovoltaic
modules are connected. The total voltage corresponds to the voltage of one module, and the
total current corresponds to the sum of the individual currents of all modules.
Parallel connection often allows for better efficiency compared to series connection. Indeed,
the electrical characteristic values of solar modules of the same type may diverge due to
individual variations during manufacturing. However, the installation process takes more time,
which is a drawback.
In practice, large-scale installations use combinations of modules connected in parallel and in
series. The goal is to achieve the optimal installation concept, taking into account respective
local data (roof surface area, grid-connected or off-grid installation, shading).
I. Objective

In comparison, it is now necessary to connect the two photovoltaic modules in parallel. For
this mounting variant, there is also a plan to study the current/voltage characteristic curve of
the photovoltaic modules.
II. Implementation of Experiment
For measurements with the parallel connection setup, the modules should ideally be connected
to the load resistor and the measuring unit in accordance with the following functional
diagram:
 Fig.1 Circuit diagram for measuring solar modules connected in parallel

For special measurement points like the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and short-circuit current
(ISC), modifications to the setup in Fig. 1 are required. To measure ISC, the closed-current

circuit is first operated without a load resistor, i.e., it is directly short-circuited by the current
input of the measuring unit. The setup for measuring the open-circuit voltage VOC is similar
(see Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Mesures sur des modules montés en parallèle

Ensuite, vous pouvez enregistrer d'autres points de la courbe caractéristique I-U conformément
au montage Fig. 1 ,à l'aide de la résistance à curseur et la source de lumière artificielle
(HL313.01). La distance entre ces dernières et les modules solaires était de 1,3m environ.
Étant donné que pour les modules montés en parallèle, ce ne sont pas les tensions mais les
intensités qui s'additionnent, il n'est pas nécessaire dans cet agencement d’avoir des résistances
fixes supplémentaires pour la mesure de la courbe caractéristique.

III. Objective
The main objective of this experiment is to investigate the electrical characteristics of
photovoltaic modules connected in parallel. Specifically, it aims to analyze the current/voltage
characteristic of the parallel PV connected modules. We will analyze the voltage, current,
temperature and irradiation performance of the panels in different configurations:
 - open circuit
- Short circuit
- Slide resistor as variable
- Fix resistor and slide resistor
IV. Apparatus
In this procedure, we used different components in order to provide us with the current and
voltage outputs of the modules:

- Two Photovoltaic modules

- Load resistor
- Measuring unit
- Artificial light source
- Slider resistor
- Measurement unit
V. Procedure
For the procedure of this experiment, we used four different configurations in order to provide us
with the open circuit voltage, the short circuit current, as well as the variations of current and
voltage when increasing the load.

- First the open circuit voltage configuration

- Second the short circuit configuration
- Third the slide resistor that was used as a variable load
- Fourth the fix resistor and slide resistor

These configurations will allow us to calculate the the efficiency, the average illumination as
well as the average temperature of the modules.
VI. Analyses: Valeurs mesurées et évaluation

U (V) I (A) P (W)

0 ISC= 6,0 0

17 5,7 96,9
17,4 5,1 88,74
17,2 5,2 89,44
17,7 4,4 77,88
17,9 4,1 73,39
18 3,9 70,2
18,2 3,4 61,88
 18,4 2,9 53,36
18,6 2,6 48,36
18,7 2,3 43,01
18,8 1,9 35,72
18,82 0,8 15,056
18,83 0,6 11,298
18,85 0,5 9,425
18,9 0,2 3,78

VOC = 22,6 0 0

Tableau 1: Valeurs mesurées et puissance électrique calculée pour deux modules montés en série

1) As in the previous manipulation, measure the currents and voltages (I, U) for various loads, and
record the values in the table below (Table 1).
2) Calculate the power for two modules connected in parallel, and record the values in the table
below (Table 1).
3) Measure the average illumination.
(Table 2)
4) Measure the average module temperature.

(Table 2)

Illumination Temperature
(kw/m2) (C)
0.69 54.2
0.69 54.3
0.69 54.3
0.69 54.5
0.69 54.7
0.69 55
0.7 55.3
0.69 55.5
0.69 55.4
0.7 55.5
0.69 55.7
0.7 55.8
0.7 56.2
0.7 56.4
0.7 56.6
0.7 56.7
0.7 57.2
 0.7 57.4
Average 0.695 55.59444444
Table 2: Calculations Of Illumination and Temperature

5) Plot and interpret the measured I-U characteristic curve and the calculated P-U characteristic
curve for two modules in parallel on the same graph.

The I-U characteristic curve and the calculated P-U characteristic curve for two modules in
parallel graph shows the linear increase of the power as the voltage increases, and its sudden
decrease at around a voltage value of 17 V which is due to the addition to the load. The current
however slowly decreases in a steady was until the same value of the voltage, and decreases in a
steeper way after the load is introduced to the system.

6) Find the maximum power (Pmpp), voltage (Vmpp), and current (Impp).

Pmpp= 96.9 W

Vmpp= 17 V

Impp = 5.7 A

7) Calculate the efficiency.

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 96.9
ɳ= = × 100% = 12.5%
𝑃𝑖𝑛 695 × 1.114

8) Make a comparison and evaluation between the efficiency of series and parallel connection using
the table below (Table 3).
 Series Circuit Parallel Circuit

Experiment
Condition
Illumination of R 460 W/m2 695 W/m2

Module Temperature (T) 49.5 °C 55.6 °C

Tilt Angle 35 35

Results

UMPP in 15.1 V 17 V
IMPP in 3A 5.7 A
PMPP in 45.3 W 96.9 W
Efficiency 9% 12.5%
Table 3: Comparison between series and parallel circuits
VII. Questions:

1. How can one determine the optimal operating point of a photovoltaic module?
The optimal operating point of a photovoltaic module is determined by finding the point on the
current-voltage (I-V) or power-voltage (P-V) curve where the module generates the maximum
power. This point is often referred to as the Maximum Power Point (MPP).

2. What parameters determine the efficiency of a photovoltaic module?

The efficiency of the photovoltaic module is determined by:
- The temperature of the solar modules;
- The solar cell materials;
- The shading effect on the panel;
- The average solar illumination;
- The age of the panel (the degradation effect);
- The solar panels orientation and tilt angle.
3. Which component is absolutely necessary, in addition to the photovoltaic modules, for operating
photovoltaic installations with grid coupling?
In order to operate the photovoltaic installation with grid coupling, we need to use an inverter in
order to convert the DC voltage that is coming from the modules to an AC voltage that operates
the grid. the inverter also makes sure that the voltage and frequency injected to the grid are
accepted so that the components connected to the grid do not get harmed.
VIII. Conclusion
In conclusion, we have performed the calculations related to the voltage and current output of the
two photovoltaic panels in order to get the maximum power point values of power, voltage and
current, and most importantly the efficiency. When calculating the efficiency of our parallel
modules, there has been an important increase in the maximum power for the parallel
configuration. That has led to an increase in the efficiency: from 9% for the series configuration,
to 12.5% for the parallel configuration. That is mainly due to several factors including:

- Errors of the condition of the expected tilt angle that was used in the series configuration
- Losses due to the addition of cable in series configuration
- The distance between the artificial light and the panels
- The calibration of the measurement unit attached to the solar panels that outputs the
voltage and the current due to the cables.