Pv tracer
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Date
2010
Authors
Laila abughosh
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Abstract
Measuring the IV characteristics is of high importance since it can be considered as a quality and performance certificate for each PV generator. The most precise and inexpensive measuring method is represented in capacitor charging by the PV generator. Using the equivalent circuit of the PV generator with a capacitor as load and applying transient analysis on the circuit, we obtain the capacitor charging voltage and current as a function of time, as well as their differentials as a function of short circuit current and capacitor size. The I- V characteristics (or I- V curve) of a PV cell, module or array (PV generator) is the important key for identifying its quality and performance as a function of varying environmental parameters such as solar radiation and ambient temperature. The curve indicates the characteristic parameters of the PV generator represented in short circuit current, open circuit voltage and the point of maximum power at which the generator would work at its peak efficiency. These parameters are indispensable for designing any small or large PV power system. Moreover, the curve render determining the equivalent circuit components of the PV generator represented in the series resistance and shunt resistance, which are disclosure parameters for classifying the quality of the generator substrate material.Therefore, it is of prime importance to measure the I- V characteristics with high accuracy under natural environmental conditions. The easiest method is to use variable resistor as a load to the PV generator and measure the stepwise voltage and current. The I- V curve obtained by this method is deficient in accuracy, uniformity and smoothness, due to manual change of the load resistor and slowness of the measuring process.The second measuring method is to load the PV generator by a capacitor and to charge it fully from short circuit to open circuit, and to record the respective voltage and current by X- Y recorder or a computerized data acquisition system (CDAS).The I-V curve obtained by this method is much more accurate and uniform since it is measured in a very short time. In addition, it surpasses the first method by enabling the measurement of the I-V curve of PV generators of higher power with reasonable capacitor values.The I- V characteristics (or I- V curve) of a PV cell, module or array (PV generator) is the important key for identifying its quality and performance as a function of varying environmental parameters such as solar radiation and ambient temperature. The curve indicates the characteristic parameters of the PV generator represented in short circuit current, open circuit voltage and the point of maximum power at which the generator would work at its peak efficiency. These parameters are indispensable for designing any small or large PV power system. Moreover, the curve render determining the equivalent circuit components of the PV generator represented in the series resistance and shunt resistance, which are disclosure parameters for classifying the quality of the generator substrate material.System since the solar cell is still expensive. This thesis proposes the development of IV Curve tester for photovoltaic module, which is capable to measure the Maximum Power of 80 watts. This test set is also able to measure other electric important features of the solar cell; Open Circuit Voltage, Short Circuit Current, Maximum Voltage, Maximum Current and Fill Factor which show the measurement on the computer monitor. The IV Curve from the experiment by measuring and collecting current and voltage data of the solar cell should be good enough to be analyzed to find the electric features of the solar cell.