Thursday 26 March 2015

The effect of solar eclipse on the PV panels

Laboratory Photovoltaic Solar Lab RWE AGH, operating at the Faculty of Energy and Fuels AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, examined the effect of solar eclipse on the operation of the PV system. Test included examination of influence of solar eclipse on 40 different PV panels.

On Friday ( March 20,2015) laboratory Laboratory Photovoltaic Solar Lab RWE AGH, normally exploring the relationship between the quality of the electricity generated from PV panels and the weather, took the opportunity of solar eclipse to see how this phenomenon affects the performance of photovoltaic systems.

In this study, an analysis of the energy performance of amorphous thin-film panels examined to what extent the eclipse resulted in a loss of power produced by the photovoltaic system. The analysis was performed using a test installation with a nominal power of 7.5 kW.

The solar eclipse was observed in Krakow between 9:44 am and 12.04 pm. The examination has been performed at 10:53 am, where it was said that eclipse was at its maximum point. In normal conditions, the intensity of solar radiation at this point would amount to approx. 600 W / m2. Unusual phenomenon, however, lead to a decline in the value of 214W / m2, which in turn led to a decline in the stand-alone power systems with the expected value 1,12kW 3,3kW.

Nevertheless, the eclipse did not significantly affect the energy performance of PV panels. Its effect can be compared to the impact it may have on cloudy typical for this time of year in Krakow.

Laboratory Photovoltaic Solar Lab RWE AGH has been founded on December 14,2014 as a result of cooperation between RWE Poland and the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy of Stanislaus Technology in Krakow (in short referred as “AGH”).

The laboratory consists of :

40 photovoltaic panels, mounted on the roof of the building of the Faculty of Energy and Fuels,
inverters,
teaching and research equipment,
batteries
and measuring weather station weather conditions.

Workshop/laboratory, is available to students conducting necessary measurements for the implementation of laboratory exercises and final assesments. The results of experiments and measurements will be used to assess the impact of operating conditions on the performance of RWE’s photovoltaics and the durability and quality of electricity obtained.