Fuel Energy and Environment Lab

Lab Report Group 5

Solar Panel Apparatus
Group Members:
M. Hamza Riaz
M. Faisal Afridi
M. Hammad Asghar
M. Furqan Rafaqat
M. Muntazir Mehdi
M. Mubashir Ibrahim

Objective:
• To study the relationship between angle of panel (with respect to incident rays) and
power produced.
• To study effect of temperature on power produced Operating Procedure

Theory:
A solar cell panel, solar electric panel, photo-voltaic (PV) module, PV panel or solar
panel is an assembly of photovoltaic solar cells mounted in a (usually rectangular) frame, and a
neatly organized collection of PV panels is called a photovoltaic system or solar array. Solar
panels capture sunlight as a source of radiant energy, which is converted into electric energy in
the form of direct current (DC) electricity. Arrays of a photovoltaic system can be used to
generate solar electricity that supplies electrical equipment directly, or feeds power back into
an alternate current (AC) grid via an inverter system.
Photovoltaic modules use light energy (photons) from the Sun to generate electricity
through the photovoltaic effect. Most modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-
film cells. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can be either the top layer or the
back layer. Cells must be protected from mechanical damage and moisture. Most modules are
rigid, but semi-flexible ones based on thin-film cells are also available. The cells are usually
connected electrically in series, one to another to the desired voltage, and then in parallel to
increase current. The power (in watts) of the module is the mathematical product of the
voltage (in volts) and the current (in amperes) of the module. The manufacturing specifications
on solar panels are obtained under standard conditions, which is not the real operating
condition the solar panels are exposed to on the installation site.[6]
A PV junction box is attached to the back of the solar panel and functions as its
output interface. External connections for most photovoltaic modules use MC4 connectors to
facilitate easy weatherproof connections to the rest of the system. A USB power interface can
also be used.[7] Solar panels also use metal frames consisting of racking components, brackets,
reflector shapes, and troughs to better support the panel structure.

Procedure:
1. The trainer is set up at a sunlight.
2. Power supply and Battery are connected to the trainer.
3. The photovoltaic modules should be aligned to the light source before starting
measurements.
4. Change the angle of panel (with respect to incident rays). i.e., 30" 45" 60" 90"
5. Measure the temperature regularly (for different angles). Record values of Voltage and
Current from the trainer at different angles
6. Calculate Power using relation P-VI.

Shut-Down Procedure:
➢ Remove the power supply and battery from the trainer.
➢ Place the panel back to its original position.
➢ Place the apparatus back to the FEE lab.

Observations and Calculations:

Time Angle (degrees) Temperature (C) Voltage Current Power ( P=VI) (Watt)

11:20 30 29 14 6.73 406

11:40 45 30 13 4.92 390

11:45 60 31 14 7.11 434

11:50 90 30 12 3.85 360

Graphs:

Power vs Angle
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0 20 40 60 80 100

Power Vs Temperature
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
28.5 29 29.5 30 30.5 31 31.5

Discussions:
This experiment was performed to observe the relationship of Power, produced
by a solar plate, with the temperature of plate and the angle of pate with respect to the
incident rays, and power was calculated. Readings were noted at different times and values of
temperature and angles, as shown in table. Graphs were then plotted to represent the
corresponding relations of Power, temperature and angles of plate.
There might be some error in calculations like;
➢ personnel error, as we’re performing it for the first time.
➢ Faulty apparatus.ie., the connecting wire of apparatus and plate was faulty and one of
us had to hold it during experiment.
➢ Weather issues.ie., clouds intruded between the solar plate and sunlight during some
readings.

Conclusion:
o Power increases with increase in temperature.
o At 60 degree angle maximum power value is obtained because plates are
perpendicular to the sun rays at this angle.