scholarly journals Experimental Testing of PV Module Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Mladen Bošnjaković ◽  
Marinko Stojkov ◽  
Boris Zlatunić
Keyword(s):  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Measurement Methods ◽  
Clean Surface ◽  
Technical Data ◽  
Influence Of Temperature ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Module Performance

This study compares the manufacturer's technical data of several PV modules with real measured outdoor technical data. The irradiance effect on several PV modules is examined by the changing a tilt angle and comparing different meteorological situations of sky clearness (clouds) on the modules mounted outdoor and exposed to Sun. Also, the influence of temperature and dust on the performance of a PV panel is under research using measurement methods described in the paper. The measured current and voltage data at the clean surface of the PV module correspond to the declared data of the PV module manufacturer, and in the case of fouling of the module surface with dust, a power drop of 7.39% was measured.

scholarly journals Automated detection-classification of defects on photo-voltaic modules assisted by thermal drone inspection

2021 ◽  
Vol 349 ◽  
pp. 03015
Author(s):  
Arsenios Gurras ◽  
Leonidas Gergidis ◽  
Christos Mytafides ◽  
Lazaros Tzounis ◽  
Alkiviadis S. Paipetis
Keyword(s):  
Computational Procedure ◽  
Automated Detection ◽  
Thermal Imager ◽  
Ir Thermography ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Morphological Transformations ◽  
Module Performance

A new computational procedure is proposed for the automated detection-classification of defects on photovoltaic (PV) modules-panels. Thermal imaging or IR thermography is an important and powerful non-destructive technique for the investigation of structural or operational defects on PV modules and when it is combined with drones can provide a fully automated inspection, detection and defect classification procedure. The aforementioned image processing approach adopts pre- and post-processing tools and methodologies assisting the infrared (IR) thermography for the evaluation of a photovoltaic (PV) module performance. In particular, the passive approach of IR thermography was adopted, a portable thermal imager was used for the in-situ acquisition of images that show the distribution of infrared luminance of the PV panel surface. The acquired images are processed and analyzed for the detection and classification of defects and hot spots on the module’s surface that are potential candidates for faulty operation. The proposed computational methodology adopts gaussian filters for the IR images, thresholding operations, morphological transformations and Artificial Neural Networks. The use of IR thermography assisted by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the inspection of PV modules-panels proved to be a very reliable and efficient tool towards the automated detection-classification of defects.

scholarly journals Effect of Solar Tilt Angles on Photovoltaic Module Performance: A Behavioral Optimization Approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 90-102
Author(s):  
Trina Som ◽  
A. Sharma ◽  
D. Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Solar Module ◽  
Monthly Average ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Yearly Maximum ◽  
Module Performance ◽  
Better Than

In the present study, performance analyses of a solar module are made through the optimal variation of solar tilt angle, pertaining to the maximum generation of solar energy. The work has been carried out for a particular location at Tripura, in India, considering three different cases on an annual basis. An intelligent behavioural based algorithm, known as artificial bee algorithm (ABC), has been implemented for finding the optimal orientation of solar angle in analysing the performance. The result shows marginal differences are obtained in producing yearly maximum solar energy for different orientations of the PV module. It has been observed that the maximum average solar energy is obtained for the case where continuous adjustment is made by rotating the plane about the horizontal east-west axis within 20° to 30° tilt angle. The computed maximum and minimum of the monthly average efficiency is 10.9% and 8.7%, respectively. Further, a comparative study has been performed in generating average solar energy through optimal tilt angle by the implementation of Perturb & Observe method (P&O). The monthly average solar power computed by P&O method resulted better in a range of 2% to 15% in comparison to that obtained by ABC. While on the other hand, the efficiency computed by ABC algorithm was 15% to 19% better than that evaluated by P&O method for all the cases studied in the present work.

Solar Micro-Inverter

2020 ◽  
pp. 283-303
Author(s):  
Sivaraman P. ◽  
Sharmeela C.
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Dc Voltage ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Design Flexibility ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Mppt Controller ◽  
Micro Inverter

A solar micro inverter is a small-size inverter designed for single solar PV module instead of group of solar PV modules. Each module is equipped with a micro inverter to convert the DC electricity into AC electricity and the micro inverter is placed/installed below the module. The advantages of micro inverters are: reduced effect of shading losses, module degradation and soiling losses, enabled module independence, different rating of micro inverter can be connected in parallel to achieve the desired capacity, additional modules can be included at time which allows the good scalability, string design and sizing are avoided, failure of any micro inverter does not affect the overall power generation, individual MPPT controller for each module increases the power generation, any orientation and tilt angle allows higher design flexibility, lower DC voltage increasing the safety, easy to design, handle and install, requires less maintenance, draws attention of design engineers, contractors, etc.

scholarly journals Outdoor Performance Test of Bifacial n-Type Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6234 ◽  
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%.

scholarly journals Experiment-based Study on the Impact of Soiling on PV System’s Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 810
Author(s):  
Wan Juzaili Jamil ◽  
Hasimah Abdul Rahman ◽  
Kyairul Azmi Baharin
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Climate ◽  
System Efficiency ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Solar Photovoltaics ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Dust Loading ◽  
Module Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Full Day

Soiling refers to the accumulation of dust on PV modules which plays a small but significant role in degrading solar photovoltaics system efficiency. Its effect cannot be generalized because the severity is location and environment dependent. Currently, there are limited studies available on the soiling effect in the hot and humid Malaysian tropical climate. This paper presents an experimental-based approach to investigate the effect of soiling on PV module performance in a tropical climate. The experiment involved a full day exposure of a polycrystalline PV module in the outdoors with accelerated artificial dust loading and an indoor experiment for testing variable dust dimensions. The findings show that for the worst case, the module’s output can be reduced by as much as 20%.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulations of a PV Module with Phase Change Material (PV-PCM) under Variable Weather Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 643-652
Author(s):  
Stefano Aneli ◽  
Roberta Arena ◽  
Antonio Gagliano
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Fluent Software ◽  
Variable Weather

The electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) modules can be improved through the cooling of the PV. Among the passive cooling strategy, one of the most promising concerns the use of phase change materials (PCMs) to decrease the operative temperature of a PV panel. This paper investigates the performances of a conventional PV panel in which two organic PCMs are added (PV-PCM) to reduce the temperature rise of PV cells and consequently to increase the electrical performances. With this aim, unsteady numerical simulations have been carried with Ansys Fluent software using a two-dimensional simplified geometry for the PV modules with the PCM is incorporated (PV-PCM), as well as for the benchmark PV module. The numerical simulations have allowed evaluating the PV cell temperatures, the power production, as well the PCM thermal behavior. As regards this latter aspect the dynamic analysis has evidenced the need to extend the time of simulation at least for two days in such way to take into account of the degree of solidification achieved during the night by the PCM materials. PCM with low melting temperature cannot complete solidifying during the night and so the heat stored during the day will be lesser than the theoretical one. The results of this study pointed out that the PV-PCM units allow achieving higher performances in comparison with a conventional PV module, especially during the hottest months. An increase in the peak power of 10% and of 3.5% of the energy produced all year round is attained.

scholarly journals Optimum Tilt Angles for PV Modules in a Semi-Arid Region of the Southern Hemisphere

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.15) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Pierre E Hertzog ◽  
Arthur J Swart
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Output Power ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Average Output ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Knowledge Support ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

It is essential to repeat a test of a given construct in research in order to underpin knowledge, support validity and enable its application in other contexts. The purpose of this article is to present repetitive test results validating the optimum tilt angle of a stationary PV module that was installed in a semi-arid region of South Africa. An experimental design incorporating a two-year longitudinal study is used. The results for 2016 and 2017 reveal that a PV module with a tilt angle of Latitude plus 10° yielded the highest output power for winter months, while a PV module with a tilt angle of Latitude minus 10° yielded the highest output power for summer months. However, for both years, a tilt angle set to the Latitude angle of the installation site yielded the highest overall average output power (60.02 Wh per day). It is therefore recommended to install stationary PV modules at a tilt angle equal to the Latitude of the installation site for a semi-arid region in the southern hemisphere.                                                                                                                                               

scholarly journals Performance Enhancement of Self-Cleaning Hydrophobic Nanocoated Photovoltaic Panels in a Dusty Environment

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6800
Author(s):  
Emran Aljdaeh ◽  
Innocent Kamwa ◽  
Waleed Hammad ◽  
Mohammed I. Abuashour ◽  
Tha’er Sweidan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Hydrophobic Surface ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Sio2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Self Cleaning

The efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) panels drops significantly in dusty environments. The variation in temperature could have a substantial impact on PV panel cells, which could further lead to high deterioration and eventually permanent damage to the PV material in the presence of dust. To resolve this issue, in this work a novel hydrophobic silicon dioxide (SiO2)-based nanoparticle coating is proposed for the PV panel, to shrink the surface stress developed between the water and the coated facet. Two identical PV modules were installed to conduct comparable experimental tests simultaneously. The first module is coated by the SiO2 nanoparticles, and the second is uncoated and used as a reference. To maintain coherency, the experiments are done in the same environmental conditions, cleaning the PV modules at regular intervals. Results reveal that the accumulated energy generated during this period of study was comprehensively enhanced. Moreover, the self-cleaning property of the hydrophobic surface of the coated panel allowed water droplets to slide smoothly down the PV module surface, carrying dust particles. Useful recommendations are made at the end to enhance the performance of PV panels in dusty environments.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Photovoltaic Partial Shading Losses under Different Operation Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Ali H. Numan ◽  
Zahraa Salman Dawood ◽  
Hashim A. Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Transparent Material ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
Partial Shading ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Module Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Vertical Cell

The partial shading conditions have a significant effect on the performance of Photovoltaic system and the ability of delivering energy. In this study, the impact of different partial shading on the mono crystalline (88W) PV module performance was investigated in this study. Horizontal string, vertical string, and single cell shading at different percentage of shading area have been studied. It is found that the horizontal string shading is more severe on the efficiency of the PV panel. In contrast, the efficiency of PV panel with cellular and vertical cell shading was less during the tests. The experimental results showed that the power losses were 99.8%, 66% and 56.8 % for horizontal, cellular and vertical shading respectively via applied non transparent material as shading element by 100% of shading area at 500 W/m2. Moreover, transparent material used to shade whole module horizontally, different shading area and different radiation level applied to find electrical characteristics of the module under these conditions. The results show that at 800W/m2 of irradiation levels and no shading condition the power was 68.6W, by increase shading area by 20% in each step, the power reducing by 44.94, 47.58, 49.42, 50.57 and 52.4% in compared with their initial value at no shading condition.

scholarly journals Comparative study on different types of photovoltaic modules under outdoor operating conditions in Minna, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Joel A. Ezenwora ◽  
David O. Oyedum ◽  
Paulinus E. Ugwuoke
Keyword(s):  
Measured Data ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Metal Support ◽  
One Year ◽  
Module Performance

There is need to always obtain the realistic outdoor performance variables of Photovoltaic (PV) module in a location for efficient PV power system sizing and design. Outdoor performance evaluation was carried out on three types of commercially available silicon PV modules rated 10 W each, using CR1000 software-based Data Acquisition System (DAS). The PV modules under test and meteorological sensors were installed on a metal support structure at the same test plane.The data monitoring was from 08.00 to 18.00 hours each day continuously for a period of one year, from December 2014 to November 2015. Maximum values of module efficiencies of 5.86% and 10.91% for the monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules were respectively recorded at irradiance of 375 W/m2, while the amorphous efficiency peaked at 3.61 % with irradiance of 536.5 W/m2. At 1000 W/m2 the efficiencies reduced to 3.30 %, 6.20 % and 2.25 % as against manufacturer’s specifications of 46 %, 48 % and 33 % for the monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous modules respectively. The maximum power output achieved for the modules at irradiance of 1000 W/m2 were 0.711 W, 1.323 W and 0.652 W for the monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous PV modules, respectively. Accordingly, Module Performance Ratios for the PV modules investigated were 0.07, 0.13 and 0.07, respectively. The rate of variation of module response variables with irradiance and temperature was determined using a linear statistical model given as Y= a + bHg+ c Tmod. The approach performed creditably when compared with measured data.

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