School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

MIET 2032 Renewable Energy Systems

Semester 2 2016

Photovoltaic Array Laboratory Experiment

Group 3
13/9/2016
12-1PM

Ricky Ta s3589013
Alan Wong s3434360
Contents
1. Learning Objectives of the Experiment........................................................................... 3
2. Introduction to the experiment ........................................................................................ 3
3. Equipment...................................................................................................................... 4
i. Photovoltaic Array ...................................................................................................... 4
ii. Voltmeter and Ammeter.............................................................................................. 5
iii. Electronic Load........................................................................................................... 5
iv. Pyranometer ........................................................................................................... 6
4. Experimental Procedure................................................................................................. 6
5. Theory ........................................................................................................................... 7
Efficiency of Solar Array: ................................................................................................ 7
6. Results ........................................................................................................................... 8
i. Table of measurements .............................................................................................. 8
ii. Tilt angle: 20 ............................................................................................................. 8
iii. Tilt angle: 30 ............................................................................................................. 9
iv. Tilt angle: 40 ........................................................................................................ 10
v. Tilt angle: 60 ........................................................................................................... 11
7. Questions..................................................................................................................... 12
Question 1 ....................................................................................................................... 12
Question 2 ....................................................................................................................... 13
Question 3 ....................................................................................................................... 14
Question 4 ....................................................................................................................... 15
Question 5 ....................................................................................................................... 16
Manufacturer Specifications v Observed Data ................................................................. 16
8. Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 17
9. Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 17
10. Appendix .................................................................................................................. 18
 1. Learning Objectives of the Experiment
The aim of the experiment is to:
1. Measure and analyse the performance of a photovoltaic array.
2. Demonstrate the effect of variations of solar radiation on the I-V curve
3. Demonstrate the effect of the tilt angle on the output of the PV modules
4. Relate the measured performance to the manufacturers specifications.
5. Write up elements of a professional technical report.

2. Introduction to the experiment

Sunlight is an incredibly important form of energy. Every day, the sun pours large amounts of
energy into space. There are a few types of lights that gets poured in, infrared and
ultraviolet, however in more cases it is the form of visible light

Semiconductors are laid into a thin flat sandwich, called solar cells. Further collectively they
are called photovoltaic cells. Each solar cell is linked by numerous of electrical cells and
stored on a stiff panel. These are linked by electrical wires and arranged on a panel of stiff,
non-conducting material such as glass. The panel itself is called a module.

Solar cells function when light within the visible spectrum excites the electrons that are
between the crystal structures induces a potential difference between the two surfaces. This
will create the photovoltaic effect.

Solar Cells are generally made from silicon and are either mono crystalline or polycrystalline.
As they only function in the visible spectrum the maximum efficiency for the silicon solar cells
is about 13%.

Australia being the most solar radiation rich continent in the world (ABC, 2015), it is very
important for Australians to tap into the valuable resource and make the most of it. However,
although being solar radiation rich, there are still limitations. As solar radiation passes
through the atmosphere as either direct light, diffused light such as that refracted through
clouds or as reflected light such as light reflected off the ground. The availability of solar
energy is influenced by a number of factors such as latitude, clouds, and impurities in the air,
month of the year and time of the day.

More energy can be generated from a solar array if the tilt angle of the array is altered during
the year. Most users tend to set the array for a compromise position that gives the same
angle as the latitude of the system. It is also important for maximizing solar energy that an
array faces to true north. In the cases of Melbournes optimal angle it would be 37
 3. Equipment
i. Photovoltaic Array
The photovoltaic array to be investigated, as shown in Figure 1, consists of eight modules/
panels mounted on a frame such that the tilt angle can be varied. The panels, measuring
each 1170mm in length and 512 mm in width, are connected in parallel. Each module / pane
consists of 36 solar cells connected in series. [Note: In this experiment, only four panels are
used]

Figure 1 Photovoltaic Array

 ii. Voltmeter and Ammeter
The photovoltaic array voltage and current can be measured using the DC voltmeter (0-30
volts) and DC ammeter (0 - 20 amps), as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, you can also
measure the voltage and current more precisely from the display of electronic load as
explained in the next section

Figure 2 Voltmeter and Ammeter

iii. Electronic Load

The resistance in the electrical circuit can be varied using an electronic load, as shown in
Figure 3. The display panel of the electronic load as shown in Figure 4 can be used to record
voltage, current, power and the electrical resistance.

Figure 3 Electronic Load

Figure 4 Electronic Load

Display
 iv. Pyranometer

The solar radiation on the tilted panel surface can be measure using the hand-held
pyrometer, shown in Figure 5

Figure 5 Hand Held Pyranometer

4. Experimental Procedure

Figure 6 Electrical Circuit

Arrange an electrical circuit as shown in Figure 6

Install the pyranometer next to the solar array and at the same tilt angle.

1. Fix the solar array true north and start the experiment with a tilt angle of 200.
2. Begin with the switch open and find the open circuit voltage using the electronic load
display and the inclined solar radiation. Making sure that the Pyranometer is next and
at the same angle as the array.
 3. Close the switch and assure that the variable resistor is at a maximum
4. Measure and Record
4.1. Array Voltage (V), Current (I), via the voltmeter and ammeter
4.2. Inclined solar radiation, Si, at solar array via the hand-held pyranometer.
5. In increments decrease the resistance. At each increment measure the voltage,
current and inclined solar radiation
6. Repeat step 4 for 15 data points to eventually find the short circuit current.
7. Increase the tilt angle to 300, 400, and 600. And repeat steps 2-5.

5. Theory

Efficiency of Solar Array:

The efficiency of the solar array can be expressed and calculated as the ratio of electrical
power to solar power.

= 100

 6. Results
i. Table of measurements
Date 13/09/16

Number of panels 4

Length of each panel 1170 mm

Width of each panel 512 mm

Arrangement of panels 1x4

ii. Tilt angle: 20

Array Array Power (W) Inclined Inclined Efficiency
Voltage (V) Current (A) Solar Solar (%)
Radiation Radiation
(w/m2) (W)

19.57 0 0.00 615 1473.64 0.00

19.4 0.03 0.58 536 1284.34 0.05

18.18 2.65 48.18 580 1389.77 3.47

17.28 4.78 82.60 601 1440.09 5.74

15.48 5.96 92.26 580 1389.77 6.64

14.46 9.77 141.27 760 1821.08 7.76

12.56 11.86 148.96 790 1892.97 7.87

10.93 13.5 147.56 820 1964.85 7.51

8.3 14.67 121.76 860 2060.70 5.91

6.25 15 93.75 903 2163.73 4.33

4.17 15.18 63.30 950 2276.35 2.78

2.06 14.41 29.68 875 2096.64 1.42

1.09 14.1 15.37 836 2003.19 0.77

0.32 12.37 3.96 700 1677.31 0.24

Note Highlighted Values are the highest values
 iii. Tilt angle: 30

Array Array Power (W) Inclined Inclined Efficiency

Voltage (V) Current (A) Solar Solar (%)
Radiation Radiation
(w/m2) (W)

19.74 0.00 0.00 926 2218.84 0.00

19.63 0.02 0.39 971 2326.67 0.02

18.04 3.50 63.14 1010 2420.12 2.61

17.08 5.38 91.89 975 2336.26 3.93

16.04 7.37 118.21 960 2300.31 5.14

14.98 9.04 135.42 909 2178.11 6.22

13.85 10.36 143.49 824 1974.44 7.27

13.05 11.64 151.90 847 2029.55 7.48

10.6 13.55 143.63 834 1998.40 7.19

9.13 15.20 138.78 898 2151.75 6.45

7.35 15.80 116.13 915 2192.49 5.30

5.56 15.63 86.90 930 2228.43 3.90

3.38 15.10 51.04 914 2190.09 2.33

1.49 15.02 22.38 910 2180.51 1.03

0.35 13.50 4.73 761 1823.48 0.26

Note Highlighted Values are the highest values
 iv. Tilt angle: 40

Array Array Power (W) Inclined Inclined Efficiency

Voltage (V) Current (A) Solar Solar (%)
Radiation Radiation
(w/m2) (W)

19.29 0 0.00 885 2120.60 0.00

19.26 0.03 0.58 887 2125.39 0.03

18.24 2.22 40.49 890 2132.58 1.90

16.96 4.93 83.61 917 2197.28 3.81

15.95 6.93 110.53 935 2240.41 4.93

14.94 9.02 134.76 978 2343.44 5.75

13.97 10.8 150.88 991 2374.59 6.35

12.92 12.46 160.98 983 2355.43 6.83

11.91 14.13 168.29 1008 2415.33 6.97

10.05 16.04 161.20 1030 2468.04 6.53

8.07 17.13 138.24 1045 2503.99 5.52

6.06 17.4 105.44 1037 2484.82 4.24

4.07 17 69.19 1030 2468.04 2.80

2.06 16.6 34.20 980 2348.24 1.46

0.9 17.17 15.45 980 2348.24 0.66

0.39 16.75 6.53 945 2264.37 0.29

Note Highlighted Values are the highest values
 v. Tilt angle: 60

Array Array Power (W) Inclined Inclined Efficiency

Voltage (V) Current (A) Solar Solar (%)
Radiation Radiation
(w/m2) (W)

19.25 0 0.00 872 2089.45 0.00

19.2 0.03 0.58 876 2099.04 0.03

18.02 2.63 47.39 909 2178.11 2.18

17.02 4.53 77.10 865 2072.68 3.72

16.04 6.59 105.70 903 2163.73 4.89

15.1 8.39 126.69 901 2158.94 5.87

14.06 10.18 143.13 907 2173.32 6.59

13.05 11.7 152.69 903 2163.73 7.06

12.07 13.37 161.38 927 2221.24 7.27

10.04 15.24 153.01 929 2226.03 6.87

8 16.03 128.24 925 2216.45 5.79

5.92 15.86 93.89 906 2170.92 4.32

4.07 15.41 62.72 928 2223.64 2.82

1.95 15.56 30.34 899 2154.15 1.41

0.85 15.51 13.18 876 2099.04 0.63

0.35 16.61 5.81 937 2245.20 0.26

Note Highlighted Values are the highest values
 7. Questions

Question 1
Plot I-V curve for the different tilt angles (20 , 30, 40, 50 and 60) and discuss the results
In this question you plot five I-V curves, 1 each for angles 20 , 30, 40, 50 and 60,
discuss the curves pattern and relationship between voltage and current and effect of
varying tilt angles.

Comparing these I-V curves at different tilt angles, it is clear that they all have very similar
characteristics. Each starting at 0 A, maximum resistance, the voltage will be at a maximum.
When slowly decreasing the resistance the voltage will eventually drop until the short circuit
current is obtained. When analysing these curves, between 5-10 volts is where the peak
current is generated for each tilt angle, however, this is not where max power is produced as
the maximum power requires a balance of voltage and current.
Question 2
Calculate the output power for each case and on the same I- V curve identify the point of
maximum power. Discuss the results.
Write the formula to calculate power, calculate the power and find out maximum
power for each case and identify the point of maximum power on each I-V curve of
question 1

Sample calculation for Power:

20
= 12.56
= 11.86
=
= 12.56 11.86
= 148.96

The highest power output achieved in this experiment was 168.29 W, at 40 degree of tilt
angle. At 40 degree of tilt angle there was consistently higher voltage and current available,
the cause of this could have been due to the higher amounts of recorded solar radiation
during that specific time of day.
Question 3
Plot the maximum power produced at each tilt angle versus the tilt angle and discuss the
results, including the implications of finding the maximum power for the design of
Photovoltaic electrical supply systems

Tilt Angle Max Power Output (W)

20 148.96

30 151.9

40 168.29

60 161.38

From plotting the power curve, it is evident that at 40 degree of tilt angle, the power
generated is much higher than that of any other set up. It also appears as if there is an
optimum angle of tilt for producing more power.
Sample calculation for Efficiency:
40

= 1008 /2
= 2.396 2
= 168.28

= ( / ) 100
= (168.29/1008 2.396) 100
= 6.9675%
Question 4
Calculate the efficiency of solar array for the five different cases and discuss. State any
assumptions made. Could the orientation of solar panels be improved?
Tilt Power Inclined Solar Radiation Inclined Solar Efficiency
Angle (W) (W/m^2) Radiation (W) (%)

20 148.96 790 1892.97 7.87

30 151.90 847 2029.55 7.48

40 168.29 1008 2415.33 6.97

60 161.38 927 2221.24 7.27

Unexpectedly, the tilt angle which provided the most power output was not the most efficient.
The most efficient was in fact the tilt angle which produced the least amount of energy. This
could have been due to uncontrollable conditions such as cloud cover changing the solar
radiation that can be absorbed.

A number of assumptions jump to mind when talking about this experiment. Firstly we are
assuming that there is nothing obstructing the module allowing it to absorb all of the solar
radiation. Realistically the module could have had some dirt or any other contamination
which could cause obstruction such as moss which was noticeably evident when observing
the condition of the module. Secondly the weather conditions could unquestionably altered
the readings of this experiment, something as simple as cloud coverage could significantly
reduce the solar radiation readings. Since these modules are rated to a specific temperature
of 25 degrees C we must assume that the temperature is also 25 degrees throughout the
duration of the experiment. However, because of this the readings would not be close to the
manufacturer's specifications as the solar cells are very temperature sensitive.

The way to improve the orientation of the solar panels would be to implement some sort of 2
axis sun tracking device, as the sun moves from east to west daily and moving slightly north
and south throughout the year with the earths tilt. However, this is costly and would not
appeal to the general public installing these tracking devices on their properties. To be more
affordable a simple way to optimise the orientation of the panels would be to set them up at
the latitude of the city, for example; Melbourne has a latitude of 37 degrees, this means that
installing the panels at 37 degrees would be mostly normal to the suns rays for most of the
year.
Question 5
Compare the photovoltaic module manufacturers specifications and the laboratory results
obtained. Provide reasons for the difference. In this experiment module type BP 275 is used.
Compare the lab results with the given module data and if there is any difference than
provide the reason.

Manufacturer Specifications v Observed Data:

Peak Power (W) Voc (V) Isc (Amp)

Manufacturer's Specifications 75 21.4 4.75

Observed Data 42.072075 11.91 3.5325

= 168.29/4
= 42.07

Since the panels are set up in parallel then we can say that the voltage is consistent
throughout the entire system = 11.91 .

In parallel the current would have to be divided by the number of panels,

= 14.13/4
= 3.53

Comparing the two:

42.07 /75 100 = 56.1%

The observed data is operating at just over half the maximum potential. This could be due to
the fact that conditions are not standard. Cleanliness of the panel and the surrounding
environment, such as temperature and exposure to direct sun, are the two main factors
causing such a drop in efficiency. The results showed that there was a direct relationship
between solar radiation and power produced. However, it also showed us that with slight
change in condition, the efficiency would drop when more power is produced.
 8. Conclusion
The purpose of the practical was to able students to record and translate data from a PV
array and then correlate manufacturer's specifications accordingly. The peak output of the
array was 168.29W at the tilt angle of 40. This could have been predicted as the optimal
angle for Melbourne is 37 relative to the latitude. However it was quite puzzling that the
efficiency for the 40 tilt was the lowest, however when considered the conditions. It came to
be why the 40 didnt produce enough power as it should have, as mentioned previously
temperature, dirt on panels, moss, cloud coverage etc., limiting the true potential of the solar
panel.

Furthermore efficiencies that were calculated were approximately 6-8% which can seem low,
however when compared to the 13% it is quite respectable. As solar radiation is constantly
fluctuating it does make it challenging to find consistent data points but otherwise we were
able to represent the relative points and draw valid conclusions from the experiment.

9. Bibliography
ABC. (2015, August 11). Fact check: Is Australia the sunniest continent on Earth? Retrieved
September 9, 2016, from ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-10/solar-
coverage-fact-check-is-australia-sunniest-continent/6659316
10. Appendix