Performance evaluation of polycrystalline photovoltaic modules in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove swamp

This central idea of this research is to investigate how voltage, current, power output and efficiency of polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules installed in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove Swamp is affected by temperature, relative humidity and irradiance. The study locations are Calabar (mangrove swamp) and Ogoja (guinea savanna), in Cross River State, Nigeria. Two polycrystalline PV modules of exact specification mounted on a platform one-metre-high above the ground were used. A digital solar power meter (SM206) and a digital solar flux meter (MS 6616) was used to monitor and measure solar power and solar flux reaching the PV modules. A digital hygrometer and thermometer (KT-908) were used to monitor and measure the relative humidity and ambient temperature level at the height of installation and a digital multimeter (M880C+) accompanied with a temperature sensor was used to monitor voltage, current and panel temperature values from the modules. Analysis of the collected data reveals that the efficiency of the modules were not constant throughout the day. However, a higher voltage production and efficiency level was obtained for the PV module installed in Ogoja than that installed in Calabar under their respective levels of relative humidity, temperature and irradiance.

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A Study of Optimal Specifications for Light Shelves with Photovoltaic Modules to Improve Indoor Comfort and Save Building Energy

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052574 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2574

Author(s):

Heangwoo Lee ◽

Xiaolong Zhao ◽

Janghoo Seo

Keyword(s):

Energy Savings ◽

Building Energy ◽

Energy Performance ◽

Building Energy Efficiency ◽

Efficiency Change ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Heating And Cooling ◽

Pv Module ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Indoor Comfort

Recent studies on light shelves found that building energy efficiency could be maximized by applying photovoltaic (PV) modules to light shelf reflectors. Although PV modules generate a substantial amount of heat and change the consumption of indoor heating and cooling energy, performance evaluations carried out thus far have not considered these factors. This study validated the effectiveness of PV module light shelves and determined optimal specifications while considering heating and cooling energy savings. A full-scale testbed was built to evaluate performance according to light shelf variables. The uniformity ratio was found to improve according to the light shelf angle value and decreased as the PV module installation area increased. It was determined that PV modules should be considered in the design of light shelves as their daylighting and concentration efficiency change according to their angles. PV modules installed on light shelves were also found to change the indoor cooling and heating environment; the degree of such change increased as the area of the PV module increased. Lastly, light shelf specifications for reducing building energy, including heating and cooling energy, were not found to apply to PV modules since PV modules on light shelf reflectors increase building energy consumption.

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An Improved Generalized Method for Evaluation of Parameters, Modeling, and Simulation of Photovoltaic Modules

International Journal of Photoenergy ◽

10.1155/2017/2532109 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Vandana Jha ◽

Uday Shankar Triar

Keyword(s):

Modeling And Simulation ◽

Standard Test ◽

Unknown Parameters ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Module ◽

Test Conditions ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Evaluation Of Parameters ◽

Output Characteristics ◽

Matlab Programming

This paper proposes an improved generalized method for evaluation of parameters, modeling, and simulation of photovoltaic modules. A new concept “Level of Improvement” has been proposed for evaluating unknown parameters of the nonlinear I-V equation of the single-diode model of PV module at any environmental condition, taking the manufacturer-specified data at Standard Test Conditions as inputs. The main contribution of the new concept is the improvement in the accuracy of values of evaluated parameters up to various levels and is based on mathematical equations of PV modules. The proposed evaluating method is implemented by MATLAB programming and, for demonstration, by using the values of parameters of the I-V equation obtained from programming results, a PV module model is build with MATLAB. The parameters evaluated by the proposed technique are validated with the datasheet values of six different commercially available PV modules (thin film, monocrystalline, and polycrystalline) at Standard Test Conditions and Nominal Operating Cell Temperature Conditions. The module output characteristics generated by the proposed method are validated with experimental data of FS-270 PV module. The effects of variation of ideality factor and resistances on output characteristics are also studied. The superiority of the proposed technique is proved.

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Electric Ferry Ecosystem for Sustainable Inter-Island Transport in Philippines: A Pilot Study

Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research ◽

10.48084/etasr.2382 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 3570-3575

Author(s):

E. V. Palconit ◽

M. L. S. Abundo

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Energy Management ◽

Electric Propulsion ◽

The Other ◽

Energy Management System ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Module ◽

First Case ◽

Pv Modules

An electric boat system as a pilot study for the electric ferry was designed and field-tested in Samal Island, Philippines, to verify sustainability for inter-island transport. This pilot study uses 4.5m monohull with a displacement weight of 343kg. During the experiment, two cases were compared: in the first case the boat was powered solely with batteries and in the other case with the aid of photovoltaic (PV) modules. For the first case, 24V electric propulsion was driven by two 12V, 100Ah batteries, which resulted to a navigational range of around 18, 16 and 15 trips with energy consumption of 111.64Wh, 117.19Wh and 123.92Wh respectively. In the second case, the photovoltaic modules were attached on the boat to supplement the PV used while on sail. Results in the second case showed that PV module supplemented energy was about to 13.4%, 26.8% and 38.7% using three different speeds like 3.18, 3.32 and 3.84knots and the navigational range extended to 4km, 1km, and 14.4km respectively. Therefore, the electric boat with the aid of PV module answers the problem in the energy management system that deals with the sustainability of the system in the inter-island transport in Philippines.

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Measurements and Characterization of Photovoltaic Modules for Tolerance Verification

Advanced Instrument Engineering ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-4165-5.ch011 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 144-152

Author(s):

C. Calò ◽

A. Lay-Ekuakille ◽

P. Vergallo ◽

C. Chiffi ◽

A. Trotta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Digital Imaging ◽

Failure Mechanisms ◽

Matrix Methods ◽

Energy Prediction ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Module ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Tolerance Verification ◽

Material Tests

One of the most important aspects of photovoltaic modules is reliability for future uses, that is, a certain module will last certain number of years in use (generally 30 or 35 years). Reliability yields from excellent qualification tests on photovoltaic (PV) modules. Testing for reliability identifies unknown failure mechanisms and whether modules are susceptible to known failure mechanisms. This paper illustrates techniques of outdoor measurements and qualification characterization to know PV module conditions for commercial uses. Matrix methods are used for energy prediction. Failure material tests, using digital imaging and thermography, have also been conducted.

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Study On Photovoltaic Modules On Greenhouse Roof For Energy And Strawberry Production

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201911803049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 118 ◽

pp. 03049

Author(s):

Yilian Tang ◽

Ming Li ◽

Xun Ma

Keyword(s):

Power Generation ◽

Relative Humidity ◽

The Other ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Active Radiation ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Roof Area ◽

Microclimate Conditions ◽

Better Than

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PV modules mounted on top of a greenhouse, on the growth of strawberries and microclimate conditions as well as to estimate the generated energy. In this study, two greenhouses with the same volume were established. One greenhouse was equipped with the opaque photovoltaic (OPV) modules which accounted for 25.9% of the roof area, and the other was equipped with the semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) modules which accounted for 20% of the roof area. The maximum annual power generation of OPV and STPV modules was 880 and 388 kWh with 30° tilt angle, respectively, by simulating different tilt angles. The temperature under the OPV and STPV modules was 2.9 and 1.1 °C lower than the unshaded part in the greenhouses, respectively, at noon in clear weather, and had little effect on relative humidity. The photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under OPV and STPV modules was reduced by 43.5% and 31.7%, respectively, under the PE film greenhouse. The contents of soluble solids in strawberries in OPV and STPV greenhouses were 16.4 and 15.7 mg/g respectively, which were higher than those in unshaded samples. The quality and yield of the strawberry samples under the shade of OPV were better than those of the STPV shade.

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Outdoor Performance Test of Bifacial n-Type Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11226234 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (22) ◽

pp. 6234 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hyeonwook Park ◽

Sungho Chang ◽

Sanghwan Park ◽

Woo Kyoung Kim

Keyword(s):

Tilt Angle ◽

Performance Test ◽

Power Production ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Concrete Floor ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Module ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Solar Tracker ◽

One Year

The outdoor performance of n-type bifacial Si photovoltaic (PV) modules and string systems was evaluated for two different albedo (ground reflection) conditions, i.e., 21% and 79%. Both monofacial and bifacial silicon PV modules were prepared using n-type bifacial Si passivated emitter rear totally diffused cells with multi-wire busbar incorporated with a white and transparent back-sheet, respectively. In the first set of tests, the power production of the bifacial PV string system was compared with the monofacial PV string system installed on a grey concrete floor with an albedo of ~21% for approximately one year (June 2016–May 2017). In the second test, the gain of the bifacial PV string system installed on the white membrane floor with an albedo of ~79% was evaluated for approximately ten months (November 2016–August 2017). During the second test, the power production by an equivalent monofacial module installed on a horizontal solar tracker was also monitored. The gain was estimated by comparing the energy yield of the bifacial PV module with that of the monofacial module. For the 1.5 kW PV string systems with a 30° tilt angle to the south and 21% ground albedo, the year-wide average bifacial gain was determined to be 10.5%. An increase of the ground albedo to 79% improved the bifacial gain to 33.3%. During the same period, the horizontal single-axis tracker yielded an energy gain of 15.8%.

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Determination PV Module Technical Condition

Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal ◽

10.24084/repqj19.360 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 604-608

Author(s):

M. Belik ◽

◽

O. Rubanenko ◽

Keyword(s):

Technical Condition ◽

Synchronous Generators ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Module ◽

Neuro Fuzzy ◽

Resource Index ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Fuzzy Network

The paper focuses on the determination of technical conditions and degradation of photovoltaic modules installed in grid-on operated photovoltaic systems in Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Detected malfunctions of PV modules are classified and Fault Tree Analyses (FTA) is created for particular PV modules. For assessment of the technical condition of the PV modules it is proposed to use residual resource index (RRI), that is being successfully used for determination of technical condition of transformers, breakers and synchronous generators. The main contribution is the method for the detection of photovoltaic modules condition with the use of a neuro-fuzzy network based on the experience of operational (maintenance) staff of particular plants.

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A Non-Invasive Procedure for Estimating the Exponential Model Parameters of Bypass Diodes in Photovoltaic Modules

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12020303 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 303 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jeisson Vélez-Sánchez ◽

Juan Bastidas-Rodríguez ◽

Carlos Ramos-Paja ◽

Daniel González Montoya ◽

Luz Trejos-Grisales

Keyword(s):

Invasive Procedure ◽

Exponential Model ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Estimation Errors ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Pv Module ◽

Current Voltage ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Two Parameters

Bypass diodes (BDs) present in photovoltaic (PV) modules are represented by the exponential model, which requires two parameters: the inverse-saturation current ( I s a t , d b ) and the ideality factor ( η d b ). However, it is difficult to estimate those parameters since the terminals of the BDs are not isolated, hence there is only access to the series connection of the module BDs. This problem must be addressed since inaccurate BDs parameters could produce errors in the reproduction of the current-voltage (I-V) curves of commercial PV modules, which lead to wrong predictions of the power production. This paper proposes a non-invasive procedure to estimate I s a t , d b and η d b of the bypass diodes present in a PV module using two experimental I-V curves. One I-V curve is measured completely covering the submodule of the module whose BD will be parameterized; while the other I-V curve is measured without any shadow on the module. From those curves, the I-V curve of the BD is estimated and I s a t , d b and η d b are calculated by solving a system of two nonlinear equations. The proposed procedure is validated through simulations and experimental results considering a commercial PV module formed by three submodules, where the estimation errors in the reproduction of the BD I-V curve are less than 1% in the simulations and less than 10% in the experiments.

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Long-Term Reliability Evaluation of Silica-Based Coating with Antireflection Effect for Photovoltaic Modules

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings9010049 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 49 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kensuke Nishioka ◽

So Pyay Moe ◽

Yasuyuki Ota

Keyword(s):

Refractive Index ◽

Conversion Efficiency ◽

Test Site ◽

Reliability Evaluation ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Pv Array ◽

Pv Module ◽

Pv Modules ◽

Main Factors

Not all sunlight irradiated on the surface of a photovoltaic (PV) module can reach the cells in the PV module. This loss reduces the conversion efficiency of the PV module. The main factors of this loss are the reflection and soiling on the surface of the PV module. With this, it is effective to have both antireflection and antisoiling effects on the surface of PV modules. In this study, the antireflection and antisoiling effects along with the long-term reliability of the silica-based layer easily coated on PV modules were assessed. A silica-based layer with a controlled thickness and refractive index was coated on the surface of a Cu(In,Ga)Se2 PV array. The array was exposed outdoors to assess its effects and reliability. As a result of the coating, the output of the PV array increased by 3.9%. The environment of the test site was relatively clean and the increase was considered to be a result of the antireflection effect. Moreover, it was observed that the effect of the coating was maintained without deterioration after 3.5 years. The coating was also applied to a silicon PV module and an effect similar to that of the CIGS PV module was observed in the silicon PV module.

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Analysis of the cooling of PV modules with water on their efficiency

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202015405006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 ◽

pp. 05006

Author(s):

Wojciech Luboń ◽

Mirosław Janowski ◽

Grzegorz Pełka ◽

Paweł Reczek

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Water Film ◽

Maximum Power ◽

Cell Temperature ◽

Photovoltaic Modules ◽

Continuous Cooling ◽

Pv Module ◽

Pv Modules

The article presents the results of research on the efficiency of photovoltaic modules cooled by water. The purpose of the experiment was to improve the working conditions of the solar cells. Lowering the cell temperature increases the power generated by the device. The decrease in the temperature of the PV module was obtained by pouring water on the upper surface of the cells, as rain imitation or a water film. The power of the cooled and non-cooled devices were compared. The best results were achieved by cooling cells with a water film since there were no water splashes. The continuous cooling of cells surface causes a 20% increase of device's power. During the test, the non-cooled module reached the maximum power of 172 W, while the cooled one - 205 W. Cooling the module resulted in an increase in power by 33 W. In addition, the temperature of the cells dropped to almost 25°C. At this time, the temperature of the non-cooled module was 45°C. The presented solution may be an interesting proposition for small installations. The solution can also be an alternative for cleaning the modules due to the improvement in the power of the module after the test in terms of their power before.

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