Object - To observe the variations in voltage and current and draw I-V and P-V characteristics

for single solar panel for the following conditions.

a) Various levels of insolations (Intensity of light on solar panel)
b) Various values of angle of inclination
c) Variation in load

List of Apparatus

S No. Name of Apparatus Specification

1 Solar Panel
2 Radiation Meter 1000 W/m2
3 Incline Meter (00-900)
4 Voltmeter (0-40) V
5 Ammeter (0-2) A
6 Variable Resistive Load 100 Ω
7 Radiation Source with variable intensity 1800 Watt

Theory-
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are made made almost entirely from silicon that has been processed into
an extremely pure crystalline form that absorbs the photons from sunlight and then releases them
as electrons, causing an electric current to flow when the photoconductive cell is connected to an
external load. There are a variety of different measurements we can make to determine the solar
cell’s performance, such as its power output and its conversion efficiency.

The main electrical characteristics of a PV cell or module are summarized in the relationship
between the current and voltage produced on a typical solar cell I-V characteristics curve. The
intensity of the solar radiation (insolation) that hits the cell controls the current (I), while the
increases in the temperature of the solar cell reduce its voltage (V).

Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curves show the current and voltage (I-V) characteristics of a
particular photovoltaic (PV) cell, module or array giving a detailed description of its solar energy
conversion ability and efficiency. Knowing the electrical I-V characteristics (more importantly
Pmax) of a solar cell, or panel is critical in determining the device’s output performance and
solar efficiency.

With the solar cell open-circuited that is not connected to any load the current will be at its
minimum (zero) and the voltage across the cell is at its maximum, known as the solar cells open
circuit voltage, or Voc. At the other extreme, when the solar cell is short circuited, that is the
positive and negative leads connected together, the voltage across the cell is at its minimum
(zero) but the current flowing out of the cell reaches its maximum, known as the solar cells short
circuit current, or Isc.

Then the span of the solar cell I-V characteristics curve ranges from the short circuit current (Isc)
at zero output volts, to zero current at the full open circuit voltage ( Voc ). In other words, the
maximum voltage available from a cell is at open circuit, and the maximum current at closed
circuit. Of course, neither of these two conditions generates any electrical power, but there must
be a point somewhere in between was the solar cell generates maximum power.

Ideal Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curve

Fig. 1.1- Ideal Solar Cell I-V Characteristic Curve

a) Various levels of insolations (Intensity of light on solar panel)

Circuit diagram
The circuit diagram to evaluate I-V and P-V characteristics of a module is shown in Fig.1.2.
There is a PV system which includes PV module and a fix resistor (pot meter) with ammeter and
voltmeter for measurement. Pot meter in this circuit works as a load for the module. When
insolation on the module is varied the current and voltage of the module gets changed which shift
the operating point on I-V and P-V characteristics.
 Fig. 1.2- Circuit diagram for evaluation of I-V and P-V characteristics

Practical characteristics of I-V and P-V for a Photo V Module

Fig. 1.3- I-V characteristics of PV Module

Fig. 1.4- P-V characteristics of PV Module

Observation Table
S No. Temperature Radiation V I P
1 Voc 0
2
3
4
5 0 Isc

b) Various values of angle of inclination

Tilt is the angle between the plane surface under consideration and the horizontal plane. It varies
between 0-900. PV arrays work best when the sun’s rays shine perpendicular to the cells. When
the cells are directly facing the sun in both azimuth and altitude, the angle of incidence is normal.
Therefore, tilt angle should be such that it faces the sun rays normally for maximum number of
hours.

There is a module stand which can make a variation in tilt of module by rotating a lever. This
stand includes halogen lamp and a frame of module on a single base. As we rotate the lever it
will rotate the module frame and tilt of module changes. The pot meter in this case has to be
fixed at constant position so that the effect of tilt can be seen. Draw the graph between tilt (as x-
axis) and Radiation and Power (on left and right y-axis). Relation between radiation and power
o/p will be linear.

Observation Table

S No. Tilt (Degree) Radiation (W/m2) V(Volt) I(Amp) P(Watt)

1 0

2 5

3 10

4 15

5 20

6 25
 7 30

8 35

9 40

10 45

c) Variation in load
There is a PV system which includes PV module and a variable resistor (pot meter) with ammeter and
voltmeter for measurement. Pot meter in this circuit works as a variable load for the module. When load
on the module is varied by pot meter the current and voltage of the module gets changed which shift the
operating point on I-V and P-V characteristics.While taking observation radiation and angle of inclination
are kept fix at a particular value.
Observation Table
S No. Resistance (Ω) V I P
1
2
3
4
5

Results

The variations in voltage and current are observed and I-V and P-V characteristics for single
solar panel for the various levels of insolations (Intensity of light on solar panel), various values
of angle of inclination, Variation in load conditions are drawn.