Realization and real application of two prototypes for photovoltaic panel data acquisition

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of two low-cost prototypes for photovoltaic (PV) panel characterization and data acquisition. The first prototype is based on classical current and voltage sensors. However, the second new proposed prototype is based on low-cost components for measuring PV current and voltage. A typical T9C-M20-36 photovoltaic panel has been chosen for experimental tests and simulation in Proteus Isis and MATLAB/Simulink software’s. This panel provides, under standard test conditions (STC), a maximum power of 20 W under an optimal current of 1.2 A and an optimal voltage of 18 V. The proposed circuits were first simulated under Proteus Isis software and implemented in low-cost Arduino Uno board. Using PLX-DAQ interface, users can check in real time the evolution of recorded data such as irradiation level, PV panel temperature, voltage, current and power. Experimental results show that the new realized prototype perform well than the classical circuit. The validation of the new proposed circuit is performed by comparison between experimental current–voltage curves obtained by the two conceived circuits and the theoretical current–voltage characteristic. This last curve is reproduced accurately by simulation in MATLAB/Simulink environment using the remarkable three points (RTP) provided in the PV panel datasheet. The obtained results show that the theoretical current–voltage curve agree very well with the experimental PV data recorded by the new prototype compared to data resulting by the classical circuit. Therefore, the new low-cost circuit of PV measurement and data acquisition could be an efficient tool for PV characterization and can be considered in many other applications such as diagnostic default algorithm.