Problems: Photovoltaics: EUB - 7 - 133 Renewable Energy Technologies 1
Problems: Photovoltaics: EUB - 7 - 133 Renewable Energy Technologies 1
Problems: Photovoltaics: EUB - 7 - 133 Renewable Energy Technologies 1
EUB_7_133
Problems: photovoltaics
2012/13
Determine the values of and and the cell temperature, when the
module operates at an ambient temperature, = 35oC and an irradiation level, =
600 W∙m-2. Describe any assumptions you make.
Assume
Standard test conditions are 25oC and = 1 kW∙m-2
Temperature coefficient of = -2.3 mV∙K-1
o
[3.0 A; 19.6 V; 45.2 W; 55.25 C]
Question 2
A PV system is required for a DC application for daytime use, without battery
storage, where the load demand is 68 Ah∙day-1. The mean solar radiation falling on
the panels is 5.5 kWh∙m-2∙day-1 and each panel is rated to produce a current of 4.0 A
at maximum power under standard conditions. Calculate the number of panels
required assuming system losses of 15%.
[4]
Question 3
(a) Briefly explain the significance of the parameter “normal operating cell
temperature” (NOCT) for a PV module.
(b) A silicon solar cell module is formed by 72 cells connected in series. The
manufacturers values of the module parameters under standard test
conditions are short circuit current, = 5.2 A, open circuit voltage, =
o
44.2 V; maximum power, = 170W and NOCT = 43 C.
Assume
Standard test conditions are 25oC and = 1 kW∙m-2
Cell temperature coefficient of = -2.3 mV∙K-1
[4.42 A; 69.44oC; 36.84 V; 120.5 W]
If such a cell has an open circuit voltage of 0.6 V and a fill factor of 75%, calculate the
AM 1.5 efficiency.
Question 5
Explain the concept of “peak solar hours” used in the sizing of PV systems.
A PV system is required for a DC water pump, without battery storage, where the
load demand is 90 Ah∙day-1. The mean solar radiation falling on the panels is 5
kWh∙m-2∙day-1 and each panel is rated to produce a current of 6.0 A at maximum
power under standard conditions. Calculate the number of panels required assuming
system losses of 20%.
[4]
Question 6
A high efficiency Sunpower silicon PV module is formed using 96 cells connected in
series. The manufacturer’s values for the module parameters under standard test
conditions are:
6.24 A Short circuit current
64.8 V Open circuit voltage
320 W Maximum power
45 oC Normal operating cell temperature
Determine the values of , cell temperature and when the module operates
at an ambient temperature, of 40 C and an irradiation level, = 900 W∙m-2.
o
Assume
Standard test conditions are 25oC and G = 1 kW∙m-2
Temperature coefficient of = -1.84 mV∙K-1 per cell
Where is expressed in kW∙m-2
[5.62 A; 68.13oC; 57.18 V; -21%]
Question 1
(a) Determine the new value of at 600 W∙m-2
This assumes that varies only with irradiance, and not cell temperature.
The difference between the cell temperature under STC and actual operation:
Hence
From STC
Question 2
Solar radiation or insolation data is usually given in units of kWh∙m -2∙day-1. This
information can also be thought of as the equivalent number of hours per day that
the irradiance on a surface is at the peak level of 1 kW∙m-2 – the standard used for
module peak output ratings. Hence solar insolation data in units of kWh∙m -2∙day-1 is
also referred to as “Peak Solar Hours” (PSH).
Load = 68 Ah∙day-1.
Insolation of 5.5 kWh∙m-2∙day-1 gives peak solar hours, PSH = 5.5 h
Output of 1 panel Ah∙day-1, allowing for system losses.
Hence number of panels needed = 68/18.7 = 3.64 panels.
BUT cannot have part panels and round off to 4 panels.
Short-circuit current
Open-circuit voltage
Using temperature coefficient of
( )
Pmax
Assume is independent of and . Then from STC conditions
Hence, under operating conditions and using the calculated above, we get
Question 4
( )
( ) ()
( )
Short circuit current
If each photon creates one electron-hole pair then:
Number of charge carriers
Cell area
Question 5
Solar radiation or insolation data is usually given in units of kWh∙m-2∙day-1. This
information can also be thought of as the equivalent number of hours per day that
the irradiance on a surface is at the peak level of 1 kW∙m-2 – the standard used for
module peak output ratings. Hence solar insolation data in units of kWh∙m-2∙day-1is
also referred to as “Peak Solar Hours” (PSH).
Load = 90 Ah∙day-1
Question 6
Put into units of kW∙m-2. We get W∙m-2= 0.9 kW∙m-2
New value of
Assumes proportional to irradiance only
Cell temperature
Using NOCT formula, ( )
New value of
per cell falls by 1.84 mV∙K-1
Now
V for 96 cells
Hence V
New value of
To get this we have to assume does not change with and . From standard
conditions
Hence