Determination of the Actual Amount of Insolation Absorbed by a Photovoltaic Panel (125w)

Abstract

The determination of the ability of the Photovoltaic cell in absorbing radiation was performed, taking into cognizance the fact that photovoltaic panels have the ability to harness solar energy incident on it in the form of radiation. It utilized the hourly production of open circuit voltage for a 125W module Photovoltaic panel made of silicon material. The solar panel was exposed to the open atmosphere from sunrise to sunset, precisely from 5.00am to 7.00am, with no obstruction from heights, high rise buildings and tall trees including towers. The photovoltaic panel was brought to ambient temperature and results were taken in clear sky weather condition in the neighborhood of ±10 minutes to the hour mark. The voltage output was recorded with the aid of a digital multimeter and a Power model was used to determine the actual amount of radiation available and a plot of voltage V hours and Watt V hour when done, showed the same pattern as that of Adnot, Haurwitz and Alboteani et al. results. The hourly variation of voltage graph when assessed, showed an ascendancy as the hour increased to a maximum of 20.65Volts at mid day and then a decrease to 0 volts at twilight (7.00pm) on the 11th day of November, 2017. The same ascendancy and decrease patterns were also displayed by the hourly variation of absorbed power. Thus, photovoltaic panel output varies with the sun hours like solar radiation varies with the sun hours, when results are obtained are obtained under stated conditions. Hence, results stands validated.