Methodology

Problem Statement

In order to produce a voltage from a solar panel, it will need energy from the sun. But sometimes the process can be stalled as the weather keep changing and blocking the sunlight. Photovoltaic solar panel power production works most efficiently in cold temperatures. Cold, sunny environments provide optimal operating conditions for solar panels. In Malaysia, the weather keeps changing throughout the day. This eventually will stop any testing on a solar panel as there is no sunlight. In order to overcome the problem, this project is made so that the testing can be done anytime during the absence of sunlight.

Temperatures also contribute a small problem on the photovoltaic (PV) which their optimum temperature should be around 25°C. Whenever the temperature increases above than 25°C, the efficiency and the output produce will be decreases. With the ambient temperature of 34°C in Malaysia, it surely gives disadvantages on the photovoltaic panel. It is quite difficult for making sure that that the temperature is fixed at 25°C when being exposed to sunlight, but what we can do is to absorb the heat produced by the peltier and convert it into electrical energy. The peltier will be placed at the bottom of the PV which will also act as a heat sink and lower down the temperature.

Introduction

Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar energy technologies include solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis, which can make considerable contributions to solving some of the most urgent energy problems the world now faces.

            The objective of a photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE) Solar Simulator is to provide a controllable indoor test facility under laboratory conditions, used for the testing of solar cells by using LabVIEW software. Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) solar systems can simultaneously provide electricity and heat, achieving a higher conversion rate of the absorbed solar radiation than standard PV modules. When properly designed, PV/T systems can extract heat from PV modules, heating water or air to reduce the operating temperature of the PV modules and keep the electrical efficiency at a sufficient level. PV/T solar systems are a recently emerging solar technology that allows for the simultaneous conversion of solar energy into both electricity and heat. This type of technology present some interesting advantages over the conventional “side-by-side” thermal and PV solar systems, such as higher combined electrical/thermal energy outputs per unit area, and a more uniform and aesthetical pleasant roof area. Despite the fact that early research on PV/T systems can be traced back to the seventies, only recently it has gained a renewed impetus.

            In this project, the PV-TE will be used on the solar simulator. This project will help in testing the performance of the PV-TE in indoor test facilities and without the need to use the real sunlight. This surely helps in preventing the panels to be bake in unpredictable outdoor environment. A solar simulator makes possible the accurate measurement of the optical-to-electrical conversion efficiency of photovoltaic-thermoelectric (PV-TE). The instrument quantitatively simulates the irradiance and spectral output of our own sun so that we can obtain efficiency data from the panel.

            With this research studies, it will help in producing a new development of solar simulator by combining the photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid module system. It can be used to test the performance of the solar cell so that an improvement can be done by identifying and do an analysis on the result produce. This will make sure that the recommendations on the most suitable of solar panel system with respect to the efficiency output can be achieved.

Abstract

A solar simulator (also artificial sun) is a device that provides illumination approximating natural sunlight. The purpose of the solar simulator is to provide a controllable indoor test facility under laboratory conditions, used for the testing of solar cells, sun screen, plastics, and other materials and devices. (1) This project is an alternative way to test the solar panel indoors. Instead of using the direct sunlight, now it will use an artificial sunlight which will be produce by the xenon lamp. The PV-TE performance will be monitored using software called LabVIEW where the voltage (volt), current (ampere) and power (watt) is measured and observed.

A photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar collector (short: PV/T collector) is a combination of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal (T) components/systems which produce both electricity and heat from one integrated component. PV systems turn on average less than 20% of the sunlight into electricity. The remainder is turned into heat. As the thermoelectric module at the bottom of it will remove the heat from the sun while the sun’s heats convert into electricity. Utilising this untapped energy is the general concept for hybrid systems.  Through the application of systems that can provide both (thermal and electrical), the energy yield per area unit of roof or façade can be substantially increased. Further advantages are using heat transfer from PV-module, improvement of conversion efficiency of solar cells, increase of electric output and an aesthetically appealing more uniform look.

            This renewable energy will helped in producing sufficient energy for the usage of daily life. In order to have the most efficient current and voltage produce, the hybrid system should be used. This research study will conclude with recommendation on the output voltage by combining two sources.