4.2.2.g. PV Power Output IV Curves 072113aFINAL

Understanding Solar Energy Teacher Page
Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

Student Objective
Key Words:
The student: active area efficiency
ZLOOEHDEOHWRGHWHUPLQHWKHYROWDJH ampere (amp)
current and power of a given PV circuit
module current
JLYHQWKHHIILFLHQF\LUUDGLDQFHDQG direct current (DC)
WKHSRZHUZDWWUDWLQJRIDPRGXOH efficiency
will be able to determine the size of insolation meter
the array necessary to produce given I-V curve
amounts of power load
JLYHQDQ,9FXUYHZLOOEHDEOHWR maximum power current (Imp)
determine the module’s maximum maximum power point (Pmp)
power point maximum power voltage (Vmp)
ZLOOEHDEOHWRH[SODLQKRZDQ,9 module
curve is generated. multipurpose meter
ohms
Materials: Ohm’s Law
ODERUDWRU\PDQXDO open circuit voltage (Voc)
NH\ZRUGOLVW power (DC)
SKRWRYROWDLFPRGXOHDQ\VL]H9 short circuit current (Isc)
$SDQHOLVXVHGLQH[DPSOHV solar irradiance
LQVRODWLRQPHWHUVRODUPHWHU solar noon
PXOWLPHWHUSHUJURXS total area efficiency
WHFKQLFDOVSHFLILFDWLRQVIRUPRGXOH variable resistor (rheostat)
EHLQJXVHGLQFOXGLQJYROWDJH voltage
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circuit amperage and maximum
power rating Time:
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current rating greater than short
circuit current for module
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Florida Solar Energy Center Photovoltaic Power Output & IV Curves / Page 1
Procedure (prior to class)
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amperage a load must be used unless you are using a fused multimeter.
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SRZHUUDWLQJRIWKHPRGXOHDQGWKDWWKHUHVLVWDQFHRKPVIDOOVZLWKLQJRIWKH
PD[LPXPSRZHUSRLQWUHVLVWDQFH5 9,)RUWKH9SDQHOXVHDZDWWRKP
rheostat.
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YROWDJHHWFDVVLJQWKH.H\:RUG&URVVZRUGWREHFRPSOHWHGHLWKHULQSDSHURURQOLQH
version.
Procedure (during class time)

1. Engage: /HDGDGLVFXVVLRQRQZKDWWKHVWXGHQWVPD\DOUHDG\NQRZDERXWVRODUHQHUJ\LQ
general and photovoltaics in particular. Points to cover should include:
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photovoltaics (turning solar energy directly into electricity)
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FDOOER[HVURDGVLJQVDQGELOOERDUGVVLJQDOEXR\VVDWHOOLWHVDVZHOODV
FDOFXODWRUVZDWFKHVDQGUDGLRV
,IWKLVLVWKHILUVWWLPHWKHFODVVKDVZRUNHGZLWKHOHFWULFLW\OHDGDGLVFXVVLRQRIZKDWWKH\
DOUHDG\NQRZDERXWEDVLFHOHFWULFDOFLUFXLWV3RLQWVWRFRYHUVKRXOGLQFOXGH
WKHFLUFXODUQDWXUHRIDFLUFXLW
'LUHFW&XUUHQW'&LVDµIORZ¶RIHOHFWULFFKDUJHIURPWKHSRVLWLYHWRWKHQHJDWLYH
FKDUJH7KLVW\SHRIFXUUHQWLVIRXQGLQEDWWHULHVSKRWRYROWDLFGHYLFHVDQG
thermocouples
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lines. This type of current reversed by fluctuating magnetic fields
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YROWDJHYROWLVWKHXQLWRIPHDVXUHRIWKHIRUFHRIWKHµSXVK¶WKURXJKWKHFLUFXLW
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939SDQHOVUHPLQGVWXGHQWVWKDWWKHSDQHOVDUHIUDJLOHDQGPD\EHEURNHQLIEHQW
,IWKLVLVWKHILUVWWLPHWKHFODVVKDVXVHGDPXOWLPHWHUH[SODLQLWVEDVLFIXQFWLRQDQGXVH
6WXGHQWVVKRXOGFRPSOHWHWKHDFWLYLWLHVLQWKH/DERUDWRU\0DQXDO
Related Reading
Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual E\6RODU(QHUJ\,QWHUQDWLRQDO1HZ
6RFLHW\3XEOLVKHUV
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energy and environmental building technologies. This manual is well-suited for those
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DOVRLQFOXGHVFKDSWHUVRQVL]LQJSKRWRYROWLDFV\VWHPVDQDO\]LQJVLWHVDQGLQVWDOOLQJ39
systems.
Internet Sites
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_electricity/basics/index.htm
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SKRWRYROWDLFFHOOVLQFOXGLQJWKHLUPDQXIDFWXUHWKHFRPSRQHQWVRIV\VWHPVDVZHOODVWKH
pros and cons of photovoltaic power.
http://www.mathconnect.com/ENGINEERING-Formula.htm
&RPPRQHOHFWULFDOIRUPXODVDQGFRQYHUVLRQVZLWKPDWKWXWRULDOOLQNV
http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/from_oil_wells_to_solar_cells.htm
1HZ0H[LFR6RODU(QHUJ\$VVRFLDWLRQ¶VFrom Oil Wells to Solar Cells: A Renewable
Energy Primer&RQWDLQVDQRYHUYLHZRIUHQHZDEOHHQHUJ\LQFOXGLQJEHQHILWVFRVWVDQG
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technology.
http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/7_12/PV/explore_pv.htm
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produces electricity.
Understanding Solar Energy Answer Key
Laboratory Exercises
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calculate the power values.
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mainly due to environmental factors and not using the optimum tilt angle.
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world conditions (such as weather) to be mitigating factors.
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should be even. The title of the graph should include the irradiance level and
temperature.
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should be able to find the maximum power point from their graphs.
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world conditions (such as weather) to be mitigating factors.
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reliability of the data.
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determined.
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areas that do not have photovoltaic materials.
Problem Set
1. Insolation meter
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DPSV
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of zero.
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7. There are an infinite number of operating (load) points along an I-V curve.
Key Word Crossword
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1 3
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( 1
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0 ( 7 ( 5
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:KHQ]HURFXUUHQWLVIORZLQJDQGWKHPD[LPXPYROWDJHLVSURGXFHGIURPDGHYLFH(open
circuit voltage)
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$QLQVWUXPHQWXVHGWRPHDVXUHDQHOHFWULFDOV\VWHP¶VFXUUHQWUHVLVWDQFHDQGYROWDJH
output (multipurpose meter)
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$GHYLFHXVHGWRPHDVXUHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLHQFH(insolation meter)
$GHYLFHWKDWSURYLGHVDYDULDEOHDPRXQWRIUHVLVWDQFHLQDFLUFXLW(variable resistor)
7KHYROWDJHYDOXHRIDGHYLFHDWLWVPD[LPXPSRZHUSRLQW(maximum power voltage)
$QXPEHURISKRWRYROWDLFFHOOVHOHFWULFDOO\ZLUHGLQDVHDOHGXQLWIRUXVHLQDUUD\V
(module)
7KHSRLQWZKHUHWKHSURGXFWRIFXUUHQWDQGYROWDJHLVDWDPD[LPXPSRZHU(maximum
power point)
Understanding Solar Energy Florida Sunshine Standards
Benchmarks
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Nature of Science
Standard 1 SC.912.N.1. X
Earth and Space
Standard 5 SC.912.E.5. X
Physical Science
Standard 10 SC.912.P.10. X X X
Mathematics Standards MA912.A.1.4, MA.912.A.2.1, MA.912.A.2.2, MA.912.A.2.13, MA.912.A.10.1
Science Standards
Standard 1: The Practice of Science
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graphs)
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8. generate explanations that explicate or describe natural phenomena (inferences)
9. use appropriate evidence and reasoning to justify these explanations to others
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11. evaluate the merits of the explanations produced by others.
Standard 5: Earth in Space and Time
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Standard 10: Energy
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can be transformed from one form to others.
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resistance and power.
Mathematics Standards
Algebra - Standard 1: Real and Complex Number Systems
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using multi-step and real-world problems.
Algebra - Standard 2: Relations and Functions
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situation.
Understanding Solar Energy Key Words/Definitions

active area efficiency - the ratio of maximum electrical power output compared to the light
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ampere (amp) - a unit of electrical current or rate of flow of electrons. One volt across one ohm
RIUHVLVWDQFHFDXVHVDFXUUHQWIORZRIRQHDPSHUH2QHDPSHUHLVHTXDOWR[ 18 electrons
SHUVHFRQGSDVVLQJDJLYHQSRLQWLQDFLUFXLW6\PEROLV,
circuitWKHFLUFXODUSDWKRIDQHOHFWULFDOFXUUHQWLQFOXGLQJWKHVRXUFHDQGDQ\ORDGVRUGHYLFHV
powered by it
direct current (DC) - a one way flow of electric current - from positive to negative
efficiency - the ratio of output of a device compared to the input to the device
insolation meterDGHYLFHWRPHDVXUHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLDQFH$OVRFDOOHGD
S\UDQRPHWHU.
I-V curve - the plot of electrical output (voltage and current) characteristics of a photovoltaic
cell or module at a particular temperature and irradiance
load - any device or appliance that is using power in an electrical circuit
maximum power current (Imp) - the amount of current of a given device at its maximum power
point
maximum power point (Pmp) - the point where the product of current and voltage is at
maximum power
maximum power voltage (Vmp) - the voltage value of a given device at its maximum power
point

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handling and assembling into panels and arrays
multipurpose meter - an instrument to measure electrical output in amps and volts and
resistance in ohms
ohms - the unit of electrical resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of one volt
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Ohm’s LawWKHFXUUHQWLQDFLUFXLWLVGLUHFWO\SURSRUWLRQDOWRWKHYROWDJHDFURVVWKHFLUFXLWDQG
inversely proportional to the total resistance of the circuit
I = V / R
V = I x R
R = V / I
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expressed as follows:
P = I2 x R
P = V2/R
open circuit voltage (Voc)WKHPD[LPXPYROWDJHSURGXFHGIURPDGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR

zero current flow
power (DC)LQ'&FLUFXLWVSRZHULVJLYHQE\WKHSURGXFWRIWKHYROWDJHDQGFXUUHQW
P = V x I (where P is the power in watts)
short circuit current (Isc) - WKHPD[LPXPFXUUHQWSURGXFHGE\DGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR]HUR

voltage
solar irradianceWKHPHDVXUHRIWKHSRZHUGHQVLW\RIVXQOLJKW([SUHVVHGLQZDWWVSHUVTXDUH
PHWHU7KHVRODUFRQVWDQWIRUHDUWKLVWKHLUUDGLDQFHUHFHLYHGE\WKHHDUWKIURPWKHVXQ
:PDWWKHWRSRIWKHDWPRVSKHUHDQG ZP after passing perpendicularly through the
atmosphere.
solar noonWKHWLPHRIGD\ZKHQWKHVXQLVDWLWVKLJKHVWSRLQWLQWKHVN\$WWKLVWLPHLQWKH
QRUWKHUQKHPLVSKHUHWKHVXQ¶VVKDGRZZLOOSRLQWGLUHFWO\QRUWK
total area efficiency - the ratio of maximum electrical power output compared to the total light
power incident on the entire device
variable resistor - a device that provides a variable amount of resistance (impedance to flow) in
DFLUFXLWWKHUHE\DFWLQJDVDORDGLQWKHFLUFXLW
voltageDPHDVXUHRIWKHIRUFHRUµSXVK¶JLYHQWKHHOHFWURQVLQDQHOHFWULFDOFLUFXLWDPHDVXUH
of electric potential. One volt produces one amp of current when acting against a resistance of
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Understanding Solar Energy Laboratory Manual

In this investigation you will explore some of the general characteristics of a photovoltaic
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performance descriptor for a photovoltaic device.
Solar Irradiance
'HWHUPLQHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLDQFH:P) using an insolation meter (also called a

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slightly to find the direction that gives you the highest reading. Record this reading
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Date Time 'D\OLJKW6DYLQJV7LPH" yes no
Location (latitude) Irradiance reading :P
Power Output
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PHWHUWR\RXUPRGXOHDQGUHFRUG\RXUUHDGLQJVLQWKHFKDUWEHORZWDNLQJWKHYROWDJHDQG
current readings and recording them below. Repeat the procedure three times and
calculate the average of the readings.
Irradiance (W/m2) Voltage Current Power
(V) (Amps) (Watts)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
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formula:
Power := Volts (V) x Amps (I)
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I-V Curve
The current-voltage (I-V) characteristic is the basic descriptor of photovoltaic device
performance. This is plotted on a graph with voltage (the independent variable) on the x axis and
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operating point being determined by the electrical load (device or appliance) connected to the PV
system. These current-voltage operating points are plotted between the short-circuit current
point (Isc) where the device produces maximum current and zero voltage and the open-circuit
voltage point (Voc) where the device produces maximum voltage and zero current. The point at
which a PV device delivers its maximum power output and operates at its highest efficiency is
referred to as its maximum power point (Pmp). The voltage and current values at the maximum
power point are referred to as the maximum power voltage (Vmp) and the maximum power current
(ImpUHVSHFWLYHO\
Collect I-V curve data for your module.

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minimize the effect of a change in irradiance level.
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FOLSVDVVHPEOHWKHWHVWFLUFXLWDVVKRZQEHORZOHDYLQJWKHSRVLWLYHOHDGWRWKH39
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PHDVXUHPHQW\RXZLVKWRREWDLQ$VN\RXULQVWUXFWRUWRFKHFN\RXUFLUFXLWEHIRUH
continuing.
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record this below.
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beginning module temperature.
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row (next page).
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last row of the data table.
7RILQGWKHYDOXHRIWKHUHDGLQJVEHWZHHQ,sc and VocFDOFXODWHWKHYDOXHRIWKH
YROWDJHWKDWLVDSSUR[LPDWHO\RIWKH,sc reading. Increase the resistance until
you obtain approximately this voltage reading on your multimeter. Record the
current and voltage readings.
,QFUHDVHWKHUHVLVWDQFHWRDSSUR[LPDWHO\DQGWKHQRIWKHYROWDJHUHFRUGLQJ
the current and voltage readings for each of these data points.
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each time so that you will have enough data points to plot the I-V curve accurately
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Continue to record the current and voltage readings (adding more lines to the table
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&DOFXODWHWKHSRZHUIRUWKHYDOXHVLQ\RXUWDEOH
Irradiance (W/m2) Cell Temperature (oC)

Initial Measurement
Final Measurement
Average
Voltage (Volts) Current (Amps) Power (Watts)
0 Isc =
Voc = 0
8VLQJWKHGDWD\RXFROOHFWHGRQJUDSKSDSHUSORWDSRZHUFXUYHZKLFKVKRZVSRZHUDVD
function of voltage. Label both axis. Then plot your I-V curve on graph paper. Label
both axis. Title your graphs to include your average irradiance and temperature readings.
7\SLFDOJUDSKVIRUD9SDQHODUHLOOXVWUDWHGEHORZ
Power curve I-V curve
/DEHOWKHPD[LPXPSRZHUSRLQWWKHSRLQWRQWKH,9FXUYHZKHUHWKHSRZHUWKHSURGXFW
RIFXUUHQWDQGYROWDJHLVWKHKLJKHVW$QHDV\ZD\WRILQGWKHPD[LPXPSRZHUSRLQWLV
to first locate the Vmp (maximum power point) on the power curve. This will be the x-
axis value of the maximum power point on your I-V curve.
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Pmp = Vmp = Imp =
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VXSSOLHGE\WKHPDQXIDFWXUHU",I\RXGRQ¶WKDYHDQ,9FXUYHIRU\RXUPRGXOHKRZGLG
your I-V curve compare to the Isc9oc,sc9mp and Pmp of your module’s specifications
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+RZFRXOG\RXLPSURYHWKHUHOLDELOLW\RIWKLVH[SHULPHQW"
Efficiency
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efficiency is defined as the ratio of output from a device compared to the input to the device.
+RZHYHUWZRGLIIHUHQWHIILFLHQFLHVDUHRIWHQTXRWHGLQSKRWRYROWDLFOLWHUDWXUHTotal area
efficiency is the ratio of maximum electrical power output compared to the total solar energy
incident on the entireFHOORUPRGXOHDUHD[LUUDGLDQFHZKHUHDVaperture or active area
efficiency usually refers to a single cell and only includes the active semiconductor area of the
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LQFOXGHG2EYLRXVO\IRUDGHYLFHZLWKLQWHUFRQQHFWHGFHOOVWKHDFWLYHDUHDHIILFLHQF\LVKLJKHU
than the total area efficiency.
11. Calculate the total area efficiency for your module for the specific trial above:
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&DOFXODWHWKHHIILFLHQF\RI\RXUPRGXOHXVLQJWKHIRUPXOD
efficiency = Pmp (maximum power point)

area x average irradience
(IILFLHQF\RIPRGXOH
$QDO\]H\RXUUHVXOWV+RZGLG\RXUHIILFLHQF\FRPSDUHWRWKHPRGXOH¶VUDWHGHIILFLHQF\"
:KDWFRQGLWLRQVZRXOGLQFUHDVHWKHREVHUYHGHIILFLHQF\RIWKHPRGXOH"
:KDWDUHWKHEHQHILWVRINQRZLQJWKHHIILFLHQF\RI\RXUVRODUSDQHORUPRGXOH"
:KDWGR\RXWKLQNKDSSHQVWRWKHVRODUHQHUJ\WKDWLVQRWGLUHFWO\FRQYHUWHGWRHOHFWULFLW\"
5HPHPEHUDFFRUGLQJWRWKHODZRIFRQVHUYDWLRQRIHQHUJ\DOORIWKHHQHUJ\FDQEH
accounted for). List all the possible ways that energy could be lost or never utilized in
this energy transfer.
Understanding Solar Energy Key Word Crossword
1 2 3
9 10
11
12 13
14
15
Clues
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and the second word placed at position 6.
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9 down)
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$QLQVWUXPHQWXVHGWRPHDVXUHDQHOHFWULFDOV\VWHP¶VFXUUHQWUHVLVWDQFHDQGYROWDJH
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$GHYLFHXVHGWRPHDVXUHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLHQFH
$GHYLFHWKDWSURYLGHVDYDULDEOHDPRXQWRIUHVLVWDQFHLQDFLUFXLWDFURVV
7KHYROWDJHYDOXHRIDGHYLFHDWLWVPD[LPXPSRZHUSRLQWDFURVVGRZQ
$QXPEHURISKRWRYROWDLFFHOOVHOHFWULFDOO\ZLUHGLQDVHDOHGXQLWIRUXVHLQDUUD\V
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DFURVVGRZQ
Understanding Solar Energy Problems

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$SKRWRYROWDLFDUUD\SURGXFHVYROWVDQGDPSV:KDWLVLWVSRZHURXWSXWLQZDWWV"
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RXWSXW"
&LUFOHWKHOHWWHURIDOOWKHWHUPVWKDWZLOODOZD\VKDYHDYDOXHRI]HUR
a. voltage at open circuit
b. current at open circuit
c. voltage at short circuit
d. current at short circuit
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VXQOLJKWWR'&HOHFWULFDOHQHUJ\DWHIILFLHQF\$VVXPLQJWKDWORVVHVIURP
LQWHUFRQQHFWLQJZLUHVJULGOLQHVDQGIUDPHVDUHQHJOLJLEOHDSSUR[LPDWHO\KRZPXFKURRI
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FRQGLWLRQV:PLUUDGLDQFH"
a. 1 m
E P
F P
G P
H P
6. Can Imp ever be greater than Isc"
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ORDGVDUHWKHUH"

4.2.2.g. PV Power Output IV Curves 072113aFINAL

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4.2.2.g. PV Power Output IV Curves 072113aFINAL

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Understanding Solar Energy Teacher Page

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

Procedure (during class time)

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

Key Word Crossword

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

Nature of Science

Earth and Space

Standard 10 SC.912.P.10. X X X

Mathematics Standards MA912.A.1.4, MA.912.A.2.1, MA.912.A.2.2, MA.912.A.2.13, MA.912.A.10.1

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

open circuit voltage (Voc)WKHPD[LPXPYROWDJHSURGXFHGIURPDGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR

short circuit current (Isc) -­ WKHPD[LPXPFXUUHQWSURGXFHGE\DGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR]HUR

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

 'HWHUPLQHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLDQFH :P) using an insolation meter (also called a

Date Time 'D\OLJKW6DYLQJV7LPH" yes no

Location (latitude) Irradiance reading :P

7RILQGWKHSRZHURXWSXWRIWKHPRGXOHFDOFXODWHWKHSRZHU PHDVXUHGLQZDWWV XVLQJWKH

 Collect I-­V curve data for your module.

Irradiance (W/m2) Cell Temperature (oC)

Power curve I-­V curve

Pmp = Vmp = Imp =

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

Photovoltaic Power Output & I-V Curves

6. Can Imp ever be greater than Isc"

 )RUDJLYHQFXUUHQWYROWDJH ,9 FKDUDFWHULVWLFKRZPDQ\SRVVLEOHRSHUDWLQJSRLQWV

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open circuit voltage (Voc)WKHPD[LPXPYROWDJHSURGXFHGIURPDGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR

short circuit current (Isc) - WKHPD[LPXPFXUUHQWSURGXFHGE\DGHYLFHFRUUHVSRQGLQJWR]HUR

'HWHUPLQHWKHDPRXQWRIVRODULUUDGLDQFH:P) using an insolation meter (also called a

Location (latitude) Irradiance reading :P

7RILQGWKHSRZHURXWSXWRIWKHPRGXOHFDOFXODWHWKHSRZHUPHDVXUHGLQZDWWVXVLQJWKH

Collect I-V curve data for your module.

Power curve I-V curve

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