Performance Evaluation of a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Module at Different Solar Irradiance

Abstract

The primary constraint of photovoltaic (PV) systems is the relatively low conversion efficiency of PV panels (PVPs), heavily influenced by their operating temperature and sun irradiation under various configurations. The lack of precision in accounting for PV panel temperature and solar irradiation levels heightens the financial risk associated with system installation. This study examines the impact of solar irradiation, under constant temperature conditions 25OC, on a monocrystalline PV panel under standard test conditions (STC) of Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. The output performance of a specific PV panel model was initially investigated by simulating it using the Scilab Xcos™ software. The current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) curves are utilized to evaluate the performance of PV panels, taking into account the temperature of the panels and varying solar irradiation levels. The simulation's findings demonstrate that when solar irradiation varies from 400 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2, there is a linear increase in both the open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current (Isc). The amount of solar irradiance causes this linear increase. The results also revealed that the quantity of irradiation the PV modules are able to extract directly relates to the PV module's output power. Furthermore, the current and voltage reached their peak levels of 7.12 A and 15 V, respectively, when the solar radiation intensity was 1000W/m^2. Their minimum values were 2.95 A and 14 V, respectively, when exposed to a solar radiation of 400W/m^2. The power output of the photovoltaic (PV) panel grew in direct proportion to the rise in solar radiation. Specifically, the power output declined to 85.95 W when the solar radiation was 400W/m^2, while it was 223.64 W when the solar radiation was 400W/m^2.