Example-1
A solar cell array has a current–voltage characteristic, at the standard insolation of 1000 W/m2, in which Voc = 11.5 V and Isc =
1.75 A. For a particular resistive load Vmp = 7.75 V and Imp = 1.5 A. Calculate the maximum power deliverable and the load
resistance that will result in maximum power delivery
Pm = VmpImp = 7.75×1.5 = 11.625 W
Rmp = Vmp / Imp
= 7.75 / 1.5
= 5.17 Ω
Example-2
Two modules of solar cells were measured on different days with different weather conditions to give
the following data:
Example-3
A 28-cell module of a solar array has Voc = 17 V at 25◦C. What will be the value Voc at 60◦C if the cell data
specifies 0.0024 V/◦C/cell?
Temperature difference = 60-25 = 35◦C
The reduction of open circuit voltage is given by:
Voltage reduction = No. of cells x ΔT x
voltage/0C/Cell
= 28×35×0.0024 = 2.35 V
Working value of Voc is
Voc = 17−2.35 = 14.65 V
This represents a
reduction of 2.35/17 or
13.8%.
Example-4 In the current–voltage characteristics of Fig. for a typical photocell, what values of load resistance would result in maximum
power output at the three specified radiation levels?
• At 1250 W/m2, maximum output power Pmax occurs when
V = 0.447 V and I = 58.1 mA so that Pmax = 0.447×58.2/1000 = 25 mW.
• Similarly, at 1000 W/m2, for maximum output power it is seen that V = 0.428
V and I = 48 mA, giving Pmax = 20.54 mW.
• Also, at 500 W/m2 input radiation, the maximum output power occurs at V =
0.428 V and I = 25.2 mA, so that Pmax = 10.8 mW.
• It can be deduced from these results that the maximum output power is
proportional to the input radiation power, within about 5% error.
• The load resistances for the three cases are obtained from
Pin (W/m2) Po(max) in mW Rload (ohms)
1250 25 447/58.1 = 7.68
1000 20.54 428/48 = 8.92
500 10.8 428/25.2 = 16.9
Example-5
The typical photocell with characteristics depicted in Fig. is delivering power to the load resistance RL = 7.5 Ω with an input
radiation of 1000 W/m2. What is the value of the junction resistor Rj in the equivalent circuit?
• With RL = 7.5 Ω the resistance line intersects the 1000 W/m2
characteristic at a point P, Fig. where the terminal voltage V = 0.364 V.
• If the simplified equivalent circuit is used, then the load current is
• I = V / RL = 0.364 / 7.5 = 0.0485 A = 48.5 mA
• The constant current delivered by the constant current generator is the
• short circuit value of 50 mA.
• With 7.5 Ω load the junction resistor current is therefore,
• Ij = Is −I = 50−48.5 = 1.5 mA
• Junction resistor Rj therefore has the value
• Rj = V / Ij =0.364 / 1.5 mA =242.7 Ω
Example-6
A certain type of commercial solar photovoltaic cell has Vmp = 0.48 V and Imp = 29 mA/cm2 under standard insolation conditions.
What combination of cells would be required to fully charge a nickel–cadmium battery requiring 4.2 V and 79 mA?
• Number of cells in series to supply the voltage = 4.2 /0.48 = 8.7 (say 9)
• Area of solar cell material to generate the required current = 70 / 29 = 2.4 cm2
• The number of parallel-connected cells to generate the required current will depend on the individual cell areas.
• A standard size of cell is 1 cm2, which would require 2.4 cells in parallel.
• This is obviously not possible, and the choice might be 3 cells of standard size.
• With 3 cells of 1 cm2 in parallel, Imp = 3×29 = 87 mA
• One possible design choice is therefore to use 3 parallel branches, each containing 9 cells in series.
• A parallel-connected resistor across the load would divert the excess 87−79 = 8 mA of current if required, although this would
be a wasteful solution.
Assignments - 1
A number of identical solar cells, having the characteristics of Fig. are connected in parallel. How many cells
would be needed to deliver 1 A of current to a 10 Ω load resistor with an input radiation level of 1000
W/m2?
Assignments-2
A number of identical solar cells, having the characteristics of Fig. are connected in parallel. How many cells
would be needed to deliver 1 A of current to a 10 Ω load resistor with an input radiation level of 1000
W/m2?
Assignments-3
A number of identical solar cells, having the characteristics of Fig. are connected in series. How many series
connected cells are needed to deliver an output of 10 V to a 10 Ω load resistor with an insolation level of 1000
W/m2.
Assignments-4
In a particular location in the Adama the solar insolation has a power density of 1000 W/m2 for an average of
98 hours/month. The energy demand is for 1200 kWh/month. This can be provided by a solar cell array with an
estimated lifetime of 20 years. The cost of the solar cells is about Birr 90 per peak watt. Fabrication,
maintenance and interest on the capital cost effectively (at least) doubles the price per peak watt. Calculate
the cost of the energy per kWh.
