Experiment Characteristics of current, voltage, and MPP of a solar panel

Topics covered:

- Energy balance of a photovoltaic panel

- Current-voltage curve

- Maximum power point of a solar panel

- Use of a solarimeter to determine efficiency

Principles and objectives:

The aim of this lab is to calculate the peak powers for two solar panels (amorphous silicon and polycrystalline silicon) based on the current-voltage characteristic.

Using 2 current and voltage sensors, we plot the current-voltage characteristic of each panel by varying the current in the circuit using a variable resistor,

Then, by calculation using the spreadsheet of the Atelier Scientifique software, we determine the power curve for each

of the 2 panels, which allows us to determine the points at maximum power,

Finally, using a solarimeter, we determine the light energy at the incident surface of the panel, and then we calculate

the optimal efficiency for each one.

Comments:

As part of the products in the Initio® 2 range, this solarimeter luxmeter ref 211054 measures light illuminance in lux and energy illuminance in W.m-2.

- Polycrystalline solar panel (ref 282045) - Amorphous solar panel (ref 282044) - Voltmeter sensor (ref 482035) - Ammeter sensor (ref 482034) - Foxy 2 console (ref 485000) - AS SUP software (ref 000131) - 4-decade resistance box (ref 281044) - 40 W LED lamp (ref 280184)