Honors College | Scholars Week Theses Presentations
The Effect of Cloudy Days on PV Arrays
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Engineering Physics
Minor
none
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Aleck Leedy
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
The technology of solar energy is still being researched by both engineers and physicists to this day. There are a large number of factors that can affect a solar panel’s performance that includes electrical and environmental effects. The extent to which shading from clouding and controlled shading can change the power output of a solar panel will be investigated.
Two electrical topologies will be utilized during laboratory research: a solar panel connected to a variable resistor, and a solar panel connected to a boost converter. Experimental tests will be conducted using the two topologies on sunny days, on cloudy days, and controlled shading analysis at certain coverage percentages. They will all be conducted at various cell temperatures. A power vs. voltage (P-V) curve will be produced for each experimental test conducted in the laboratory. Various aspects of the P-V curves produced from experimental data will be analyzed and studied.
Affiliations
Honors Thesis
The Effect of Cloudy Days on PV Arrays
The technology of solar energy is still being researched by both engineers and physicists to this day. There are a large number of factors that can affect a solar panel’s performance that includes electrical and environmental effects. The extent to which shading from clouding and controlled shading can change the power output of a solar panel will be investigated.
Two electrical topologies will be utilized during laboratory research: a solar panel connected to a variable resistor, and a solar panel connected to a boost converter. Experimental tests will be conducted using the two topologies on sunny days, on cloudy days, and controlled shading analysis at certain coverage percentages. They will all be conducted at various cell temperatures. A power vs. voltage (P-V) curve will be produced for each experimental test conducted in the laboratory. Various aspects of the P-V curves produced from experimental data will be analyzed and studied.