Energy Technology. A. Y.

2012-13

Lesson 5 Problems

LESSON 5 PROBLEMS. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY

1. There is a photovoltaic module with 72 cells of Si in series ( = 1.11 eV) and a total surface of 0.8 m2. The values of the characteristic parameters at the Standard Test Conditions, STC (Tref = 25 C; Gref = 1000 W/m2; AM = 1.5), given by the manufacturer are: Vmp = 33.9 V; Imp = 2.8 A; Isc = 3 A; Voc = 40 V. From experimental measurements at a cell temperature of 35 C, the following values are known: Isc = 3.013 A; Voc = 38.45 V; G = 1000 W/m2. a) Calculate the value of the series resistance at Standard Test Conditions. b) Calculate the values of a, IL, ID and Voc at a operating temperature of 50 C and with an irradiance of 600 W/m2. c) Calculate the values of Vmp and Imp under the previous conditions. d) Draw the panel response curve under the STC conditions and under the new conditions. e) Compare the module efficiency under both conditions. 2. A house located at Madrid is going to be electrified with a solar PV system. The electricity consumptions are given in the following table: Device Power (W) Daily working hours Kitchen light 36 3 Living room light 36 4 Bathroom light 18 1 Bedroom light 18 0.5 Corridor light 18 0.25 Television 50 3 Refrigerator 85 5 4 (May) 8 (June) Air conditioning 700 10 (July) 9 (August) 4 (September) Consumption (kWh/day) 0.108 0.144 0.018 0.009 0.005 0.150 0.425 2.8 5.6 7.0 6.3 2.8 0.859 (rest of the months) 3.659 (May) 6.459 (June) 7.859 (July) 7.159 (August) 3.659 (September)

Total

To the former values a security coefficient of 20% must be applied. In the following table the values of the monthly average daily global irradiation on a terrestrial horizontal surface are given: 41

Energy Technology. A. Y. 2012-13

Lesson 5 Problems
Madrid (L = 40 , ro = 0.2) April
H

May 22850

June 26550

July 26980

August September December 23880 18220 5650

(kJ/m2da)

19660

Calculate: a) The required number of panels and their inclination, knowing that that the type of the panels are BP 3160 with a peak power of 160 Wp, supplying a 80% of their maximum power, having an output voltage of 24 V, and an useful surface of 1.2 m2. The installation voltage is 24 V. b) The storage capacity required to have the following autonomy days, for the corresponding months of the previous table: 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 5, 14. Data: BP 3160 module surface = 1.258 m2; PD100 = 40%; PD10 = 40%; DF = 30%. 1 MJ = 0.278 kWh.

Partial resolution: The following table with the values of the monthly average daily total irradiation on a terrestrial inclined surface have been calculated by means of a spreadsheet with the procedure and the formulas shown in the solar thermal energy lesson. It is suggested as an exercise for the students:
Madrid (L = 40 , ro = 0.2) April May June July August September December

s= 0 H T (MJ/m2da) 10 H T (MJ/m2da) 20 H T (MJ/m2da) 30 H T (MJ/m2da) 40 H T (MJ/m2da) 50 H T (MJ/m2da) 24.54 25.41 25.84 25.81 25.31 24.35 29.12 29.11 28.65 27.75 26.42 24.70 33.92 33.28 32.19 30.64 28.64 26.27 33.89 33.52 32.66 31.28 29.42 27.13 29.22 29.91 30.05 29.65 28.71 27.24 22.52 24.00 25.03 25.57 25.60 25.12 9.20 10.15 10.90 11.43 11.72 11.77

On the same spreadsheet, the surface matrix has been calculated, resulting that the optimal inclination is 10 and the critic period is the month of August:
Madrid (L = 40 , ro = 0.2) April May June July August September December s= 0 A (m2) 0.151 0.543 0.823 1.002 1.058 0.702 0.403 10 A (m2) 0.146 0.543 0.838 1.013 1.034 0.658 0.366 20 A (m2) 0.144 0.552 0.867 1.040 1.029 0.631 0.341 30 A (m2) 0.144 0.570 0.911 1.085 1.043 0.618 0.325 40 A (m2) 0.147 0.598 0.974 1.154 1.077 0.617 0.317 50 A (m2) 0.152 0.640 1.062 1.252 1.135 0.629 0.315

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Energy Technology. A. Y. 2012-13

Lesson 5 Problems 3. (February 2004 exam) The following data are known about a PV panel BP 275 measured at Standard Test Conditions, STC (Tref = 25 C; Gref = 1000 W/m2; AM = 1.5): Maximum power: 75 W; Vmp = 17.0 V; Imp = 4.45 A; Isc = 4.75 A; Voc = 21.4 V; i,sc = 0.065 %/C; v,oc = - 80 mV/C. The module has 36 series cells of mono-crystalline silicon ( = 1.11 V) and an useful surface of 0.6 m2. Calculate: c) The shape factor, SF, at STC conditions. d) The values of ID, IL, a and Voc at the nominal operating cell temperature of 47 C and with an irradiance of 1000 W/m2. 4. (September 2004 exam) The following data are known about a PV panel BP 4170 measured at Standard Test Conditions, STC (Tref = 25 C; Gref = 1000 W/m2; AM = 1.5): Maximum power: 170 W; Vmp = 35.6 V; Imp = 4.78 A; Isc = 5.1 A; Voc = 44.4 V; i,sc = 3.31510-3 A/C; v,oc = - 16010-3 V/C. The module has 72 series cells of monocrystalline silicon ( = 1.11 V) and an useful surface of 1.2 m2. Calculate: a) The values of ID, IL, a and Voc at the nominal operating cell temperature of 47 C and with an irradiance of 800 W/m2. b) The recombination coefficient between electrons and holes, m, under the previous conditions. Data: Boltzmans constant, K = 1.3810-23 J/K; electron charge, q = 1.610-19 C.

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