Serc s113 PV Modules 2
Serc s113 PV Modules 2
Serc s113 PV Modules 2
PV modules
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2
Learning Objectives
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Parameters Influencing the Power Generation of a PV
Module
Irradiance
Spectral range
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5
Objective
1
Current-Voltage (I-V) Curves
60 kW
Capacitor based
fast & accurate
Current VS. Voltage Expensive
Power VS. Voltage
12 kW
Capacitor based
fast & accurate
Expensive
300 W
Resistor based
Slow & less accurate
Inexpensive
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7
Light Sources for I-V Measurements
Outdoor – Natural Sunlight
~ 1 second if automatic tracer used
~ 5 minutes if rheostat tracer used Indoor – Flash Simulator
~10-80 millisecond tracer
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Objective
3
Effect of Irradiance Level
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Objective
4
Effect of Irradiance Level – Example
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Objective
4
Effect of Temperature
For crystalline silicon PV devices, increasing cell temperature results in a
decrease in voltage and power, and a small increase in current
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Objective
4
Effect of Temperature – Example (for c-Si module)
25C 55C
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Objective
4
Parallel & Series Connection
PV modules are connected
electrically in series to build
voltage output
Example: each module generates:
Current = 4.9 A, Voltage = 35.8V,
Current (A)
and Power = 175.4W
Series strings of PV modules are
connected in parallel to build
current and power output Voltage (V)
Array total:
Current = 4.9 A x 2 = 9.8A
Voltage = 35.8 V x 5 = 179V
Power = 175.4W x 10 = 1754W Slide Source: Jim Dunlop Solar
15
Usefulness of I-V Curve Tracer
Ammeter usefulness
If there is a change in short-circuit current (for example, due
to irradiance change or soiling), then ammeter can detect the
issue
Voltmeter usefulness
If there is a change in open-circuit voltage (for example, due
to temperature change), then voltmeter can detect the issue
I-V curve tracer usefulness
If there is a change in power (for example, due to a bad cell
among good cells in a module), then ammeter or voltmeter
cannot detect the issue; only I-V curve tracer (automatic or
rheostat based tracer) can detect the issue. See the examples
in the next few slides
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Usefulness of I-V Curve Tracer Cont’d
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Usefulness of I-V Curve Tracer Cont’d
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Source: JiCA
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Usefulness of I-V Curve Tracer Cont’d
Source: Solarpro
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Usefulness of I-V Curve Tracer Cont’d
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Source: ASU
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Parameters Influencing the Energy Generation of a PV
Module
Irradiance range
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Objective
4
Parameters Influencing the Energy Generation of a PV
Module Cont’d
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Objective
4
Parameters Influencing the Energy Generation of a PV
Module
Temperature range
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Suva, Fiji: A Large Fraction of Solar Energy comes from
Irradiance Level Lower than 200 W/m2 (overcast)
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Source: ASU PV Reliability Laboratory (ASU-PRL)
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Efficiency Comparison at High & Low Irradiance Levels for
c-Si and Thin-Film Technologies
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Source: TamizhMani, CANMET
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Measurement of Performance at Different Temperature &
Irradiance Levels
http://www.solarabcs.org/about/publica
tions/reports/pv-mod-power-
rating/pdfs/PVModulePowerRatingRep
ort.pdf
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PV Module Tests Using Rheostat & PV Analyzer Included in
MTT
Temperature coefficient of voltage
Temperature coefficient of current
Temperature coefficient for power
I-V curves at high and low irradiance levels
I-V curves at high and low temperatures
I-V curves with shading
I-V curves with mismatched modules
I-V curves with soiling
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Practice
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Practice Cont’d
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Summary – Key Points
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Summary – Key Points Cont’d
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