Solar Energy

There are two types of solar power

Solar thermal power Photovoltaic solar power

Solar thermal power plants work like a Conversion of light energy into electrical
conventional steam power plant in which the energy is based on a phenomenon
fuel is replaced by concentrated solar radiation called photovoltaic
 Solar Energy

There are two types of solar power

Solar thermal power Photovoltaic solar power

 PV solar power

• The most important component in photovoltaic system is the solar cell

• Solar cell is the photovoltaic device that convert the light

energy (which come from sun) into electrical energy
 PV solar power

❑ Operation of solar cell

When a solar panel exposed to sunlight

the light energies are absorbed by a

semiconductor materials

Due to this absorbed energy, the electrons are liberated and

produce the external DC current
 PV solar power

• Photovoltaic cells are connected electrically in series and/or parallel circuits to produce higher
voltages, currents and power levels
 Solar Cell Characteristics

• The Solar Cell I-V Characteristic curve shows the current and voltage (I-V) characteristics of a
particular photovoltaic ( PV ) cell, module or array.

• The P-V Characteristic curve shows the

relation between the voltage V and the
power P output from the PV cell or panel

• The power curve has a maximum denoted

as PMP where the solar cell should be
operated to give the maximum power output
 Solar Cell Characteristics

• The Solar Cell I-V Characteristic curve shows the current and voltage (I-V) characteristics of a
particular photovoltaic ( PV ) cell, module or array.

• The P-V Characteristic curve shows the

relation between the voltage V and the
power P output from the PV cell or panel

• The maximum power from the PV

cell occurs at a voltage of VMP and a
current of IMP.
 Solar Cell Characteristics
• PV data sheet
 Solar Cell Characteristics
How to obtain the I-V curve experimentally ?

• I-V curve measurement is performed by applying a series of voltages to the device

• At each voltage, the current flowing through

the device is measured

• The supplied voltage is measured by a

voltmeter connected in parallel to the device

• the current is measured by an ammeter

connected in series.
 Solar Cell Characteristics
How to obtain the I-V curve experimentally ?

• I-V curve measurement is performed by applying a series of voltages to the device

• At each voltage, the current flowing through

the device is measured

• The supplied voltage is measured by a

voltmeter connected in parallel to the device

• the current is measured by an ammeter

connected in series.
 Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ Solar cell model:

Iph = photogenerated current ID = diode current

Rs = series resistance Ipv = output current

Rsh = shunt resistance Vpv = terminal voltage

▪ Isc = short circuit current ▪ Tref= reference temperature (25oC)

▪ Tact = actual temperature of the cell ▪ Ki= cell’s S.C current temp coefficient
(Ki = 0.0017 A/oC)
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 1. Iph

irradiation

Tact Subsystem Iph

Tref
Iph
Isc
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ ID
 Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 2. IRs

▪ IRS = reverse saturation current

▪ Isc = short circuit current ▪ Ns = number of solar cells in series
▪ Voc = open circuit voltage ▪ A = ideality factor (1-2)
▪ q = electron charge (q = 1.6 *10-19 C)
▪ K = Boltzmann constant (K = 1.3806 *10-23)
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 2. IRs

Tact

Subsystem IRS
IRS
Isc
 Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 3. Is

▪ IS = saturation current
▪ q = electron charge (q = 1.6 *10-19 C) ▪ Ns = number of solar cells
▪ K = Boltzmann constant (K = 1.3806 *10-23) ▪ A = ideality factor (1-2)
▪ EG = 1.1
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 3. Is

Tact

Tref
Subsystem IS
IS
IRS
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 4. Ipv

neglected
Modelling of solar cell using sim power
❑ 4. Ipv

Vpv

Subsystem Ipv
irradiation
Ipv
Toperating
 PV solar Cell
❑ Effect of irradiation on solar cell characteristics
 PV solar Cell
❑ Effect of temperature on solar cell characteristics