I

Abstract
In this report, we discuss the effect of the number, types, and thickness of glass on PV

panels. Upon completion of reading this report, you will find how the variation of the

number of glass and thickness and types affect the efficiency of the panel by

experimental methods and readings. You will also find a discussion about how

efficiency is affected by changing the glass thickness.

II
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank Prof. Ahmed Abdel-Azim Ahmed, Doctor Ahmed El-Shamy

and our TA Engineer Nabil Negm, our TA Engineer Noha, and of course Lab

Moderator Engineer Engy for their support and guidance in completing our project on

the (Effect of Numbers, types, and thickness of glass on PV Panel). It was a great

learning experience.

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Table of Contents

Abstract............................................................................................................................................................ II

Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................................... III

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................1

Definition:.....................................................................................................................................................1

Consist of:.....................................................................................................................................................1

How it works: ...............................................................................................................................................1

Literature Review ............................................................................................................................................3

Methodology & Experimental Setups...........................................................................................................4

Setup..............................................................................................................................................................5

Used Equipments:....................................................................................................................................5

Procedures: ...............................................................................................................................................5

Prototype Design .............................................................................................................................................6

SolidWorks Design...............................................................................................................................6

Manufacturing Process.........................................................................................................................7

Testing Prototype..................................................................................................................................9

Results & Discussion ................................................................................................................................... 10

Reading Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Graphs ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

Graphs Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 10

Case Study ..................................................................................................................................................... 16

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 17

References ..................................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendices .................................................................................................................................................... 19

IV
Introduction
Definition:
In its most fundamental form, solar panels are devices that use the sun's rays to produce heat
or electricity. A sunlight-powered charger is an assortment of sun-based (or photovoltaic)
cells, which can create power through the photovoltaic impact. On the solar panel surface,
these cells are arranged in a grid-like pattern. Ref 1

Consist of:
Silicon is a key component of semiconductors that are used in solar panels to generate
electricity from solar energy. However, the solar panel itself is made up of more than just the
materials used to make the cells. To make a solar panel that works, six different parts are
combined during the manufacturing process. Silicon solar cells, a metal frame, a glass sheet,
a standard 12V wire, and a bus wire are among these components. Ref 2
How it works:
These semi-conductive materials, most commonly silicon, can conduct electricity while
maintaining the necessary electrical imbalance for the generation of an electric field. These
cells are constructed.

The solar PV cell absorbs light energy in the form of photons when it strikes the
semiconductor, releasing several electrons that then freely move throughout the cell.
Positively and negatively charged semiconductors are sandwiched together in the solar cell to
create an electric field. This electric field
forces the electrons' drifting motion in a
particular direction onto the conductive
metal plates that line the interior of the cell.
The strength of this flow, which is called an
energy current, determines how much
electricity each cell can produce. After the
free electrons strike the metal plates, the
current flows through wires, allowing the
electrons to flow as they would in any other
electric power source.

Figure 1 How PV Works

1
As the sunlight-powered charger creates an electric flow, the energy courses through a
progression of wires to an inverter. Most electricity consumers require alternating current
(AC) electricity to power their buildings, whereas solar panels generate direct current (DC)
electricity. The inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity, making it usable for
everyday use.

The electricity is sent from the inverter to the electrical panel and distributed as needed after
being converted into AC power. Ref 3

2
Literature Review
The Effect of number of glasses, thickness, and types on the transmissivity of solar radiation.
Thus, the transmissivity of solar radiation affected by three variables
1) Number of glasses
2) Thickness of glass
3) Types of glass

With climate zones in mind, the concept of energy efficiency changes depending on where you are
located.
➢ In a heating climate energy efficiency is about getting more heat into your house as
possible, then stopping it from getting out.
➢ In a cooling climate energy efficiency is about stopping any heat from getting in through
your windows.
• If you live in a heating climate the best glass type or window specification for energy
efficiency is: Double-glazed windows with low e glass configured on face three of the
insulated glass unit.
• If you live in a cooling climate the optimum glass type or window configuration for energy
efficiency is: Single glazed windows with tint or super tint glass on the outside face of the
window.

The output of the solar panels depends upon types of solar glass. there are types of solar glass
which may affect the performance of solar output.
1) Low iron solar textured solar glass.
2) Solar Glass with Matt – Matt Finished
3) 2 mm Fully Tempered Solar Glass
4) Solar glass with anti-soiling coating
5) Solar glass with anti-soiling coating

Gaps found in present literature on research topics.

There was no research that clearly experimented with varying the glass type, thickness, or number to
find out the different outputs that results. There were two research that were done by varying the
glass thickness on flat plate collectors for fruit drying but none for the photovoltaic panels, the
experiment was done in real life conditions without solar simulator which was used in our
experiment which would leave space for error. Ref 10

3
Methodology & Experimental Setups
As known PV panels fixed directly to the sun without any protections, the outside factors the
affected the efficiency of PV panels are:
1) Sun Intensity
2) Shading
3) Cell Temperature
But these factors varies and to control these factors it will be hard so what if we changed one of the
components of the PV panel.
The main components of PV panel are:
1) Aluminum Frame
2) Tempered Glass
3) Encapsulant Material
4) Silicon Solar Cell
5) Back Sheet
6) Junction Box

Figure 2 PV Panel Components

Tempered glass as known it have a specific transmissivity (τ). The transmittance of a material is the
amount of light that can pass through it without being reflected or absorbed. Thus, clear material just
allows a modest quantity of light to go through, while hazy glass accomplishes 0% conveyance. The
straightforward glass will thusly send 100 percent of the light.

Transmissivity could be changed with a change in material, thickness, type, or number of glass

So, this means that if the glass changes this will lead to change the amount of solar radiation that
absorbed by the panel. So, we made an experiment to investigate and show how the change of glass
layer will affect the panel efficiency. Ref 4

4
Setup
Used Equipments:
1) Sun Simulator
2) PV Panel
3) Six layers of glass with different thicknesses
4) AVO meter to measure Voltage and Current
5) Pyranometer to measure intensity of radiation
6) Temperature Sensor to measure panel temperature
7) Stopwatch

Procedures:
1) Put panel perpendicular to sun simulator with no glass layer in front of it
2) Connect AVO to panel
3) Connect temperature sensor
4) Turn on sun simulator for one hour
5) Measure Volt, Current, and temperature every 5 minutes
6) Repeat the procedures with different layers of glass

Figure 3 Experimental Setup

5
Prototype Design
• SolidWorks Design

Figure 5 Isometric View

Figure 4 Four Views

6
• Manufacturing Process

Figure 7 Aluminium Frame

Figure 6 Glass Holder

7
 Figure 9 Final Frame

Figure 8 Final Prototype Design

8
• Testing Prototype

Figure 11 Testing Prototype

Figure 10 testing Panel

9
Results & Discussion
We have seven different setups with different glass to calculate and study the effect of number, type,
and thickness of glass on PV panel parameters such as: (Volt, Current, Power, and Efficiency)

Reading Analysis
In figures Figure 12 Readings, Figure 13 Readings showing the readings from the experiment:
After taking readings every 5 minutes for an hour, we took an average of these iterations (Volt,
Current, Temperature, Power, and Efficiency).

The 3mm glass had an average efficiency 12.16% and average voltage 17.4023 V at average
temperature 48.3846. Which shows that the 3mm has more favorable results in these conditions
compared to the other results

Graphs
As we found that the best values come from the second iteration we have made a graphs that
illustrates the values of the panel alone and with 3mm glass shown in Figure 14 No glass, Figure 15
3mm Glass Layer, and made a graphs between each variable alone to compare with each other in
Figure 16 Volt Comparison, Figure 17 Temperature Comparison, Figure 18 Efficiency Comparison

Graphs Analysis
In Figure 16 Volt Comparison, we should notice that voltage in 3mm glass is slightly bigger than with
no glass, and these have to meanings, first one that when we put the glass layer we increased the
transmissivity, and the second one that when the 3mm glass added it absorbs some of sun radiation
so the panel didn’t absorbs more heat so the volt increases, as we know the relation between volt and
temperature it is a reciprocated relation (When Temperature increases the voltage decreases).

In Figure 17 Temperature Comparison, we noticed the analysis discussed above that the glass prevent
the panel to absorb more radiation which make it have a lower temperature than the panel alone.

10
 Power
In Figure 18 Efficiency Comparison, as known that μ = Solar Radiation × Area of the panel , so efficiency

had a reciprocated relation with the solar radiation, and these point get us back to the same point that
we discussed above. But wait a minute, how it comes that when the radiation decreases the efficiency
increases. Let us discuss it on a straightforward way,
Power = Volt × Current
When Solar Radiation ↑↑ , Temperature ↑↑
When Temperaure ↑↑ , Volt ↓↓
When Volt ↓↓ , Power ↓↓
When Power ↓↓ , Efficiency ↓↓
That is that simple. Ref 5

Improve the efficiency will come with cooling the panel itself when it reaches a certain temperature.
The best way to cool the panel by fluid called (Nano Fluid).

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 12

Figure 12 Readings
Figure 13 Readings

13
 No Glasses
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Volt Temperature Efficiency

Figure 14 No glass

With 3mm Layer Glass

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Volt Temperature Efficiency

Figure 15 3mm Glass Layer

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 Volt
25

20

15

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Volt (No Glass) Volt (3mm Glass)

Figure 16 Volt Comparison

Temperature
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Temperature (No Glass) Temperature (3mm Glass)

Figure 17 Temperature Comparison

Efficiency
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Efficiency (No Glass) Efficiency (3mm Glass)

Figure 18 Efficiency Comparison

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Case Study
We will make a case study on the PV panel with an average (Volt 17.4023 V, Current 0.27 A,
Temperature 48.3846, Power 5.0654 W, and Efficiency 12.16%) with one 3mm glass to work up home
uses 100 watt-hours per day.
• To calculate the number of PV panels required to provide 100 watt-hours of energy
per day, we need to use the following formula:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦
= 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑥 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑥 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
• We know that the power per panel is 5.0654 watts, and the efficiency is 12.16%.
Therefore, the effective power per panel is:
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙 = 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑥 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
= 5.0654 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑥 0.1216 = 0.615 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠
• Next, we need to calculate the number of hours of sunlight per day. This will
depend on your location and the time of year. Let's assume an average of 8 hours of
sunlight per day.
• Now we can calculate the number of panels required:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑦
= 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑥 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑥 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
100 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡. ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 = 0.615 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑥 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑠 𝑥 8 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑠 = 100 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡. ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 / (0.615 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑥 8 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠)
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑠 = 20.325

Therefore, you would need approximately 21 PV panels to generate 100 watt-hours of

energy per day, taking into consideration that the area of the panel is
285 × 190 = 0.05415 𝑚2
Assuming each panel has a power output of 5.0654 watts, current of 0.27 A, and an
efficiency of 12.16%. However, it's worth noting that this is a rough estimate, and the
actual number of panels required will depend on several factors, such as your location,
the angle and orientation of the panels, and the amount of shading they receive.

16
Conclusion
In conclusion, we find out that the glass in the construction of PV panel has a great effect on the
efficiency of the panel. When the experiment runs and gets data, readings, and graphs we find out
that changing the thickness, numbers, and types of these glass surely affects the efficiency of the
panel by changing variables like temperature, volt, absorption of solar radiation, and power.

17
References
Ref 1 https://www.mrsolar.com/what-is-a-solar-panel/

Ref 2 https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/what-are-solar-panels-made-of

Ref 3 https://www.livescience.com/41995-how-do-solar-panels-work.html

Ref 4 https://learn1.bue.edu.eg/mod/resource/view.php?id=149379&redirect=1

Ref 5 https://learn1.bue.edu.eg/mod/resource/view.php?id=155961&redirect=1

Ref 6 • https://www.nationalglass.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Glass-Data_v4-Low-

Res.pdf

Ref 7 https://www.alwindows.com.au/blog/which-type-of-glass-is-best-for-energy-efficiency/

Ref 8 https://www.nationalglass.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Glass-Data_v4-Low-

Res.pdf

Ref 9 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jen/2014/247287/

Ref 10

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262840714_Effect_of_Glass_Thickness_on_Performa

nce_of_Flat_Plate_Solar_Collectors_for_Fruits_Drying

18
Appendices
Figure 1 How PV Works..................................................................................................1

Figure 2 PV Panel Components.......................................................................................4

Figure 3 Experimental Setup ...........................................................................................5

Figure 4 Four Views ........................................................................................................6

Figure 5 Isometric View...................................................................................................6

Figure 6 Glass Holder ......................................................................................................7

Figure 7 Aluminium Frame .............................................................................................7

Figure 8 Final Prototype Design ......................................................................................8

Figure 9 Final Frame .......................................................................................................8

Figure 10 testing Panel ....................................................................................................9

Figure 11 Testing Prototype ............................................................................................9

Figure 12 Readings ........................................................................................................12

Figure 13 Readings ........................................................................................................13

Figure 14 No glass..........................................................................................................14

Figure 15 3mm Glass Layer...........................................................................................14

Figure 16 Volt Comparison ...........................................................................................15

Figure 17 Temperature Comparison .............................................................................15

Figure 18 Efficiency Comparison ..................................................................................15

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