Insolation Effect on Solar Photovoltaic Performance Parameters

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic converts sunlight into electrical energy. Now days, it is quite popular for domestic purpose due to availability of sun insolation in abundance. But the atmospheric conditions vary depending upon depending upon the location. Therefore, it is important to know and predict the behaviour of the solar photovoltaic under different atmospheric condition. This paper studies the effect of insolation, one of the atmospheric parameters, on solar photovoltaic output. Two modules, each contains of 54 cells in series and parallel, is considered. The sun insolation is varied on these modules and solar photovoltaic characteristics i.e. current–voltage (I–V) and power–voltage (P–V) are observed. Preliminary observed results show that series connected modules are less sensitive to current and power if the different insolation is applied on both modules compare to parallel connected modules. But if the same insolation is applied on both the modules then current and power increases with the insolation intensity on the solar panel both in series and parallel. Also, the short circuit current varies in series and parallel connected modules with insolation variation, but open circuit voltage is less affected.