Solar Panel System Research Articles

Lightning damage assessment on solar panels using in-house portable infrared thermography camera with Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) algorithm

ABSTRACT As the demand for renewable energy sources increases, the vulnerability of solar panels to lightning strikes becomes a critical concern. This research explores the correlation between lightning-induced voltage fluctuations and the resultant damage intensity on solar panels. The study adopts a systematic approach, first investigating the correlation between lightning-induced voltage assessment using 30kV, 60kV and 90 kV impulse voltage with multi-stage Marx impulse generator and the damage intensity on monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. A portable active infrared thermography equipment with tCam-Mini was employed to conduct this research with wireless streaming. Furthermore, the study integrates Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based image classification techniques to enhance the efficiency of damage assessment. The results highlight the potential of neural networks in improving the accuracy and speed of image classification for damaged and undamaged samples. The findings contribute valuable insights into enhancing the resilience of solar panel systems against lightning strikes, ultimately advancing the reliability and sustainability of solar energy infrastructure. A new CNN model was developed to classify the images obtained from thermography with 90.21% accuracy for greyscale and 85.31% accuracy on thermal images.

Solar Power Plant Optimization using Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) and Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)

The automatic system model uses a Solar Charge Controller (SCC) to turn off the solar panel system at the minimum battery point so that the battery is safe and durable and an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) to automatically transfer the electricity network from State Electricity Company or Grid or solar panels. In this study, Solar Panel Priority Grid electricity is used if the solar panel is insufficient and hybrid system with solar panel priority with 2 cut out battery usage. The results of this study are 450WP Solar Panel, 100A SCC MPPT, 12V/100Ah Battery, and 3000 Watt Modified Sine Wave Inverter, Miniature Circuit Breaker, Contactor, Relay Switch, Time Delay Relay and Indicators. The results of the switching process test between the Solar Power Plant source and grid with ATS control can run automatically in Grid Priority Mode, meaning Solar Power Plant as a backup, or Solar Power Plant Priority Mode where the grid source is used as a power backup system. In the Battery Capacity Optimization System, Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) Protection can work well, namely it can cut off the voltage from the inverter if the battery is in a low voltage state at a rating below 10.8 Volts, Auto Cut Charging Protection testing can charge the battery up to 13.8 Volts and Cycle Use, namely the process of this system can work to store energy while releasing energy to run the load. The results of this study can be used as a reference for the best choice of the most efficient Solar Power Plant system.

A Method to Estimate Solar Panel Orientation Effectivity

Abstract In the past years, new photovoltage (solar panel) systems have been installed rapidly, for instance, in regular households. Investment decisions have often been made without knowing all technical facts and information, which are affecting total energy production of photovoltage systems. In this work, we have made a simple model, which shows solar panels energy production with the different orientation angles of solar panel. Our results show that if panels are installed more than 30 degrees from the optimal orientation, the energy production drops drastically. This result applies to both azimuth and tilt angles. The developed model is very adaptive, and it can use any locations and all orientation angles. We confirm our calculation result by making a measurement with a small (30 W) test solar panel. The model and measurement results have a good relationship (correlation coefficient, R 2 = 0.7). The obtained result is satisfactory by taking into account the fact that measurements were made during the variable weather conditions and over long period of time (six months).

Design and Optimization of Steel Structures for Solar Panel Systems

Abstract: Structural components are fundamental for supporting mechanical machines in industrial settings. These structures are designed not only to bear the weight of the machines but also to withstand the vibrations generated during operation. The project at hand focuses on integrating basic structural sections to create a complete mechanical framework. Our goal is to collaborate with an industry specializing in support structures for various electrical units. From our initial analysis, we observed that many of these industries rely on conventional manufacturing practices and past experience to design structures, often leading to overdesign. No finite element analysis (FEA) or theoretical calculations are typically applied. We propose introducing modern FEA techniques and concepts to optimize and refine these designs for improved efficiency.

Design and Implementation of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with IoT-Enhanced Monitoring Using Arduino

The position of the sun varies over the day and with the seasons, making it difficult for conventional fixed solar panel systems to achieve optimum energy production. By reorienting the panels to face the sun, solar tracking systems solve this problem. This study suggests a dual-axis solar tracker system that continuously adjusts the panels to stay perpendicular to sunlight in order to maximize energy capture. The system uses sensors to monitor the sun's elevation and azimuth angles. Light sensors, motor controllers, microcontrollers, control algorithms, and an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system are some of the system's essential parts. The microprocessor determines the ideal angles for panel alignment based on the location of the sun as detected by the light sensors. The motor driver then adjusts the panels appropriately. The sun's position is accurately and smoothly tracked using dual-axis tracking systems, which employ sensors to detect solar position and actuators controlled by sophisticated algorithms to adjust the panels accordingly. Real-time parameter monitoring of the solar panel is done using an IoT-enabled webpage. The study's findings show that the dual-axis solar tracker system performs noticeably better in terms of energy capture efficiency than fixed installations, especially in areas with high solar incidence angles and fluctuating sunshine.

Effect of nanofluid cooling on electrical power of solar panel system in existence of TEG implementing magnetic force

This study investigates the efficacy of applying a Lorentz force to improve the efficiency of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system featuring a finned duct, while also addressing challenges associated with dust accumulation. The magnetic field helps to prevent nanoparticle aggregation, enhancing the cooling process. The use of a finned duct combined with a nanofluid as the cooling medium efficiently dissipates excess heat from the silicon layer. Dust accumulation on the glass layer reduces transmissivity, negatively impacting system performance. The magnetic field's interaction with the nanoparticles enhances convective cooling of the upper layer, leading to an overall improvement in performance. Increased pumping power results in higher cooling rates, with improvements of approximately 3.48 % in thermal efficiency (ηth), 75.01 % in thermoelectric generator efficiency (ηTEG), and 39.37 % in photovoltaic efficiency (ηPV). An increase in the Hartmann number (Ha) improves ηth by about 1.87 %, with corresponding enhancements in electrical performance components. A higher concentration of ferrofluid further boosts performance, with the effect being roughly 1.7 times more significant in the absence of MHD compared to when Ha = 97. Dust presence decreases ηth, ηTEG, and ηPV by approximately 9.39 %, 8.55 %, and 25.77 %, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of Ha diminishes the influence of Vin on ηth by around 1.33 %.

Project-Based Learning in Smart Solar Panel System for Analysis 21st Century Skills

Collaboration and communication are two types of 21st-century skills that are very important for students to have. By having good communication and collaboration skills, students can build a wider network in the future, which is useful to support their lives. Students' communication and collaboration skills can be known through various activities, one of which is the involvement of students in project-based learning. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a modified project-based learning model on students' collaboration and communication skills. The project-based learning that we did focused on the project of making a smart solar system. This research is a type of development research, with a mixed method research method. We developed a modified project-based learning model. The data collection process was carried out by conducting in-depth interviews, and in-depth observations, supported by literature studies. In addition, we also used a measurement questionnaire to provide a numerical assessment of students' collaboration and communication skills. Based on the research conducted, we found that the modified project-based learning model can be used to determine the extent of students' communication and collaboration skills. Where the measurement results show good criteria in some indicators and sufficient on several other indicators.

Control System Hardware Design, Analysis and Characterization of Electromagnetic Diaphragm Pump

In this article, a novel electromagnetic diaphragm pump design controlled by an Arduino NANO microcontroller is proposed to pump liquid inside the pumping chamber completely separated from mechanical and transmission parts. The prototype is primarily based on alternating the polarity of two electromagnets that attract or repel a permanent magnet located on a flexible diaphragm. The system hardware layout is completed by electronic components:. an Arduino NANO microcontroller created by Atmel, Headquarters San Jose, California. and display within the cabinet to control the polarization of the electromagnets and exhibit the temperature inside the pump. The electromagnetic pump and control system consist of innovative approaches as a solution for the treatment of unclean water and integration with solar panel systems. In addition, the measurement tests of the electromagnetic pump, including the temperatures of electromagnets and the quantity of the pumped liquid within the chamber, indicate a dependence on the selected speed of the electromagnet’s polarization. The electromagnetic pump achieves high efficiency as a combination of the temperature and the amount of liquid that can be regulated and controlled by the switching speed of the electromagnet’s polarization.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Solar Panel Systems in Electricity Using the Fmea Method on Smokeless Waste Burning Machines

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Solar Panel Systems in Electricity Using the Fmea Method on Smokeless Waste Burning Machines

SCADA Implementation on Solar Panel Electricity Consumption Monitoring and Regulation System

In an effort to motivate students and understand application of SCADA to the Solar Panel system which is one source potential non - fossil energy to be used as solution to meeting sustainable energy needs.​ Where in its operation , efficiency and reliability Solar Panel system is still a major problemthat must be overcome . Utilization of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) in management Solar Panel Systems (PLTS) have become significant solution​ to improve loading efficiency . The purpose of this research is to create a prototypes solar panel practicum as a learning media to motivate student in understanding how solar panels work and can apply the process of monitoring and regulating solar panel system with SCADA in real-time. The equipment used​ includes Solar Panels, Solar Charger Controller (SCC), Inverter, Battery , PLC Omron CP1E-NA20DR-A and CP1W AD041, ACS712 Current Sensor , ZMPT101B Voltage Sensor, DHT22 Temperature and Humidity Sensor and Light Sensor (LDR) as well as CX- Programmer software Ver. 9.5 and CX -Supervidor Ver.4.0. The method used is Research and Development method as the basic for design and manufacture of solar panel practicum tools and the application of SCADA to the monitoring system and electricity usage of solar panels . From the results of tests conducted with the application of SCADA on solar panels can monitor Voltage , Current , Power, Temperature , Light and load usage regulator electric solar panels based on electrical energy consumption, as well as the condition of electrical equipment connected to the solar panel system with an average error values : Voltage 0.084%, Current 0.155%, Power 0.107% and Temperature 45 0C and Light 658.7 Lux.

Numerical study of the thermal performance of a single-channel cooling PV system using baffles and different nanofluids

The present numerical study reports the performance of a cooling system for solar photovoltaic panels (PV) using different nanofluids (Al2O3, CuO, and ZnO). A novel parallel flow channel with strategically placed baffles was analyzed to improve the heat transfer between the back of PV and the nanofluid. The nanoparticles' Brownian motion and the nanofluid temperature effect were considered. Computational fluid dynamics was used to simulate the interaction between the fluid in motion and panel materials. Various nanoparticle concentrations, Reynolds numbers (18–1800), and solar radiation values (200–1000 W/m2) were examined. The results showed that the nanofluid composed of CuO was the most effective, improving thermal efficiency by 5.67 % compared to pure water in the lowest Re range. A 10 % vol. concentration of Al2O3 reduced temperature by up to 15 % and increased electrical efficiency by 4 % when the Re varied from 18 to 42. However, increasing the Re number and having low solar radiation values decreased the contribution of the nanofluid. Additionally, using baffles in the flow channel improved electrical efficiency by 2 %.

Energy and exergy analysis of an innovative solar system for hydrothermal carbonization process using photovoltaic solar panels

Using renewable energy is a solution to combat environmental problems; in this context, hydrothermal carbonization is an excellent method for converting biomass into solid fuels. However, this process is energy-intensive. Systems utilizing parabolic trough solar collectors proposed in the literature present some limitations and challenges. Therefore, to overcome this issue, a novel conception combining photovoltaic solar panels and a batch reactor with a heating collar has been proposed. It was experimentally investigated and subjected to energy and exergy analyses. The experimental results showed that subcritical conditions (220 °C temperature and 40 bar pressure) were achieved. The chemical exergy of the biomass increased from 19.89 MJ/kg to 29.2 MJ/kg for the hydrochar. Due to dehydration and decarboxylation, the O/C and H/C atomic ratios decreased over time, and the hydrochar properties approximated lignite. The solar panel system achieved average energy and exergy efficiencies of 14 % and 15 %, respectively, with high thermal exergy destruction of 825.94 kWh under higher wind speeds and cell temperatures, resulting in a total entropy of 1.4 kW/K. The system's Improvement Potential ranged from 15 kW to 23 kW. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this innovative system to achieve the necessary conditions for HTC in an environmentally friendly manner.

Smart solar maintenance: IoT-enabled automated cleaning for enhanced photovoltaic efficiency

This innovative project aims to increase the effectiveness and user experience of solar panel systems by introducing a state-of-the-art dust and speck removal system. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the system demonstrates a remarkable 32% increase in power output compared to dirty solar panels. The approach is characterized by its reliance on the universe as the system controller, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the workforce required for panel cleaning. The proposed timed system utilizes water and wipers, facilitated by internet of things (IoT) technology, microcontrollers, and sensor modules for efficient and automated operation. An Android application provides user control and notifications about ongoing processes. The system’s adaptability for various settings is emphasized, offering a portable solution. The smart IoT based automatic solar panel cleaning ensures reliable performance, underscoring the project’s commitment to improve scalability, cost-efficiency, performance, integrity, and consistency.

Analysis of Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills Through Project-Based Learning of Smart Solar Panel System

The challenges of today's world of work are very complex. Not only abilities based on grades on paper but other supporting abilities must also be possessed by graduates. In this era, graduates are expected to have other skills to support their academic abilities. These skills are known as 21st-century skills. This research aims to determine the level of creativity and critical thinking of students in the sixth semester of the Electrical Engineering Education Study Program. Analysis of these two skills is carried out through project-based learning, taking the project focus on smart solar panels. The selection of research focus is based on bibliometric analysis, where in the last 10 years, research related to project-based learning on renewable energy for creativity analysis and critical thinking still needs to be carried out. The research method used in this research is descriptive research with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The data collection process was carried out through direct observation in the field and also through assessment sheets by colleagues and lecturers. Based on the results of data processing, results were obtained which showed that project-based learning was suitable for analyzing critical thinking skills and also honing creativity.

Efficiency enhancement of solar cell using mirror concentrator

This research is done to find out a method by which the efficiency of a solar cell can be increased by using mirror concentrator to get a higher power and optimum efficiency. At first the sun lights are incident on the mirror concentrator made of plane glass and then the reflected rays are incident to the solar cell. Flat mirror concentrator (FMC) has been used to increase the incident irradiance on solar panel system by concentrating the sun light ray on it and then to improve the cell performance. A comparison is made for the same PV solar panel systems using single and triple flat mirror concentrator. It is a beneficial and important theory of solar power plant sector. It can be used in household and any kind of industrial area. The FMC consists of two flat mirrors made of glass, with dimensions (170cm × 80cm) enclosed by aluminum frame and inclined to an angle 55° with a solar panel (160cm × 120cm) tilted at 45° from the horizon. The results indicated that when the concentrator is used with the solar panel the efficiency increased by a factor of 4.52% to 11.34%. So, the increase in efficiency of the solar cell is 6.82%.

Multi-microgrids system’s resilience enhancement

Nowadays, electricity consumption is increasing rapidly which leads to conventional power systems exhaustion. Therefore, micro-grids (MGs) implantation can enhance the resilience of power systems by implication of new resources, such as renewable energy sources (solar panel and wind power systems), electric vehicles (EV), and energy storage systems (ESS). This paper proposes a new strategy for optimal power consumption inside one microgrid; then, the approach will be extended to optimize the power consumption to enhance the resilience in the case of multi-MGs systems. The system controller of each microgrid has been implemented using ESP32 microcontroller and Raspberry IP4. The proposed approach intends to enhance the resilience of the system to react to any contingency in the system such as loss of power linkage between MG and the network in case of any natural disaster, especially in the rural area. Two controllers are implemented; the first one ensures MG autonomy by the efficient use of its own sources. The second one handles the system resilience cases by demanding/delivering power from/into neighbor microgrids. Hence, this work enhances the system resilience with an optimal cost. Thus, the MG can offer ancillary services for the neighboring MGs.

Comparative analysis of single-axis solar tracker performance with and without reflector under various weather conditions

This research explores a sun tracking system for solar panels that affects the power output of the panels. To address this, a unidirectional sun tracking system is implemented to ensure the solar panels are perpendicular to the sun, thus optimizing solar radiation. Additionally, reflectors are integrated to capture more sunlight. This research aims to design the system of unidirectional sun tracking to enhance the power output generated by solar panels and compare its performance with stationary (static) solar panels. The results demonstrate that the system of sun tracking improves the power output of solar panels. However, when reflectors are used in conjunction with the sun tracking system, no significant increase in power output is observed. Moreover, solar panels equipped with the unidirectional sun tracking system exhibit a power increase of 52.06 Watts compared to stationary solar panels. This research indicates that employing a unidirectional sun tracking system with the addition of reflectors does not enhance power output but instead reduces it due to the increased temperature effect caused by the sunlight reflection from the added reflectors.

Mathematical Techniques for Computing the Reliability of a Parallel-series System of Order (2,3,1) under Rayleigh Failure Laws

Some well-known mathematical techniques have been used to compute the reliability of a parallel-series system of order (2,3,1). The system is composed of four units labelled as A, B, C and D. The configuration involves two parallel subsystems: the first containing units A, B and C arranged in series and the second comprising a single unit D. The failure rate of units is assumed to follow the Rayleigh distribution. With the use of the decomposition method, cut set method and event space method, expressions for both reliability and Mean Time to System Failure (MTSF) have been derived. By considering all units to be identical, the reliability measures have been obtained numerically for specific parameter values. The trends of these measures have been represented graphically to understand the effect of parameters. The study has its practical significance in assessing the reliability of solar panel system. . KEYWORDS :Parallel-series System, Rayleigh failure laws, Decomposition method, Cut set method, Event space method.

Implementing a Solar Panel System at King Hamad University Hospital: A Pathway to Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

Implementing a Solar Panel System at King Hamad University Hospital: A Pathway to Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

Photosynthetıc Energy Nanogenerators

Photosynthetıc Energy Nanogenerators