Lab Report: EEE 460 Department of EEE BUET
Course No: EEE460
Lab No: 06
Course Title: Optoelectronics Laboratory
LAB TITLE: Measurement and Analysis of I-V Characteristics of Solar
Panels and Cells
Prepared by:
Student Name: Himel Kundu Utsha
Student ID: 1906014
Sub Group : H1
Date of Experiment: 12.11.2024
Date of Report: 19.11.2024
Introduction:
In this experiment, we observed the I-V and P-V characteristics of a solar panel
and calculated various parameters from our measured data. During the
experiment, the sunlight was insufficient and the sky was partly cloudy. The
performance of the solar cell was heavily influenced by this environment
condition. Despite the irregularities in solar irradiance, we obtained I-V and P-V
characteristics very close to our expectation.
Nameplate Data:
Rated Maximum Power (Pmax) 60 W
Current at Max. Power (Imp) 3.34 A
Voltage at Max. Power (Vmp) 18.0 V
Short-Circuit Current (ISC) 3.62 A
Open-Circuit Voltage (VOC) 22.4 V
Standart Test Condition (STC) AM = 1.5, Irradiance = 1000W/m2,
Temperature = 25⁰C
Data Table :
Intensity (W/m2) Voltage (V) Current (A) Power (W)
390 20.85 0 0
250 18.75 1.06 19.88
240 17.8 1.12 19.94
222 16.72 1.13 18.9
217 14.8 1.15 17.02
203 12.0 1.08 12.96
220 10.9 1.11 12.1
Cell Area (sq. cm) Module Area (sq.cm) VOC (V) ISC (A)
128 (8x16) 4608 (72x64) 20.85 1.1
Report Task 1
I-V Characteristics of Solar Panel
P-V Characteristics of Solar Panel
Maximum Power, Pmax : 19.936 W
Report Task 2
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 19.936
Using experimental data, Fill Factor, FF = = = 0.87
𝐼𝑠𝑐∗𝑉𝑜𝑐 20.85∗1.1
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 60
Using nameplate data, Fill Factor, FF = = = 0.74
𝐼𝑠𝑐∗𝑉𝑜𝑐 3.62∗22.4
Using experimental data,
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 19.936
Effeciency, ƞ = = = = 0.18 = 18%
𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒∗𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 240∗0.4608
Using nameplate data,
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 60
Effeciency, ƞ = = = = 0.13 = 13%
𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒∗𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 1000∗0.4608
Due to the irregularity in irradiance, we can observe the deviation of results
between the experimental data and the nameplate data . Solar irradiance need
to be constant for an ideal environment for this experiment.
Report Task 3
The area of the panel was 4608 cm2 and the cell area was 128 cm2. There were
36 cells in the panel, 9 cells in series and 4 lines in parallel. The voltage of the
cell is scaled down by a factor of 9 and the current is scaled down by a factor of
4.
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 0.554
Fill Factor, FF = = = 0.87
𝐼𝑠𝑐∗𝑉𝑜𝑐 0.275∗2.316
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 0.554
Effeciency, ƞ = = = = 0.18 = 18%
𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒∗𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 240∗0.0128
Fill factor and efficiency for both cell and panel remains same since all the
parameters are scaled down. While voltage and current are scaled down by a
factor of 9 and 4 respectively, power is automatically scaled down by a factor of
36 and thus the fill factor and efficiency remains same.
I-V Characteristics of Solar Cell
P-V Characteristics of Solar Cell
Report Task 4
Series resistance can be obtained from the I-V curve near the open circuit
voltage. The inverse of slope near the open circuit voltage is the value of series
resistance. Shunt resistance is obtained from the inverse of slope near the short-
circuit current.
2.31667−2.08333
Rseries = | | = 0.2 Ω
0−0.265
1.2111−1.3333
Rshunt = | | = 16.3 Ω
0.2775−0.27
Report Task 5
For a solar cell, Iph = k x I
[where Iph = Isc = Photocurrent, k = Device specific constant, I = Solar
irradiance]
From our experimental data,
Iph = 0.2775 A and I = 240 W/m2
So, k = 0.2775 / 240 = 1.16 x 10−3
