Solar Kit

Take the laboratory details in PDF

Click image to zoom

Image Preview

Description

This advanced photovoltaic system comprises a solar panel, an array of sensors, a rechargeable battery, a dimmable lamp designed to simulate sunlight, an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller for maximizing energy efficiency, and a programmable load for dynamic testing scenarios. The system is designed to be controlled via HTTP requests using a MATLAB-based application, providing a seamless interface for data visualization, control, and analysis. Built for both educational and practical applications, this setup allows continuous and precise measurement of key parameters such as voltage, current, and power levels generated by the solar panel. The real-time data collected by the sensors is transmitted wirelessly, ensuring accessibility from virtually any location. Users can remotely adjust critical system parameters, such as the intensity of the lamp and the programmable load value, to simulate various environmental conditions and energy demands. With its robust wireless communication and MATLAB App integration, this system provides a user-friendly interface for managing and optimizing solar energy production in real-time. Whether for educational purposes, research experiments, or performance analysis, this system offers unparalleled flexibility and insights into the functioning and optimization of renewable energy systems. It serves as an ideal platform for learning about the principles of photovoltaic energy, the implementation of MPPT for efficiency maximization, and advanced techniques for remote energy system management.

Objective

The objective of this kit is to provide a comprehensive platform for real-time monitoring, control, and management of a solar energy system, enabling users to explore the principles of photovoltaic energy production and its efficient utilization through hands-on experimentation.

Method

This system utilizes a solar panel connected to a battery and various sensors, along with a dimmable lamp to simulate sunlight. Data such as voltage and current levels are continuously measured and transmitted wirelessly. Users can remotely adjust system parameters, including lamp intensity and load value, to simulate different environmental conditions. The system is controlled through HTTP requests, providing seamless integration with a MATLAB-based application for real-time adjustments and data visualization.

Practical Applications

Practical Applications: This kit provides a versatile platform for monitoring and optimizing solar energy systems in real-time, allowing users to experiment with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques to enhance energy efficiency. It facilitates remote control of energy production and consumption, enabling flexible management of system parameters. Additionally, users can investigate the impact of the solar panel's tilt angle on power generation, optimizing its orientation for maximum efficiency, and explore the effect of temperature variations on power output to understand thermal impacts on photovoltaic performance. The kit supports educational demonstrations on renewable energy technologies, offering hands-on experimentation with system parameters to simulate various environmental conditions. Furthermore, it serves as a valuable tool for advanced research and learning on renewable energy systems, providing insights into the integration of IoT and advanced energy management techniques.

Key Features

Real-time voltage and current measurement, remote control of lamp intensity and load value, wireless data transmission for flexible system management, and a hands-on learning experience in renewable energy. The system enables seamless monitoring and control of photovoltaic energy systems, offering advanced functionality for experimentation and practical applications.

Learning Outcomes

This kit enables users to understand the operation of photovoltaic systems and their components by providing a comprehensive hands-on platform for experimentation. Users will gain practical skills in energy management and remote system control, learning to optimize solar energy production using maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques. By analyzing real-time data on voltage, current, and power output, users can explore the effects of various environmental conditions, such as tilt angle and temperature, on system performance. The system also introduces users to the application of IoT-based technologies for monitoring and managing renewable energy systems, fostering a deeper understanding of modern energy solutions and their real-world applications. Through these activities, users develop critical analytical and problem-solving skills while gaining valuable insights into the principles of efficient energy utilization and system optimization.

Functional In/Out Diagram

The functional diagram above illustrates the main components of the system and their interactions:

Input: The input parameters for this system include the lamp power (Plamp), which simulates sunlight by varying the intensity of the lamp illuminating the photovoltaic (PV) module. This allows for testing under different lighting conditions to analyze the system's performance. Another key input is the fan power (Pfan), which is used to control environmental factors such as airflow or cooling around the PV module, thereby enabling the study of temperature variations. Additionally, the tilting angle (α) of the PV module is an adjustable input that determines the angle of incidence of simulated sunlight, allowing analysis of how the tilt impacts the energy absorption and efficiency of the system.

Process: The process begins with the application of lamp power to simulate sunlight over the PV module, where the intensity can be adjusted to mimic various solar conditions. At the same time, the fan power is utilized to create airflow or control the temperature around the PV module, providing a realistic environmental simulation. The PV module is then adjusted to different tilting angles to evaluate how orientation impacts solar energy capture and efficiency. Throughout this process, key data is continuously measured, including the voltage (Voc), current (Isc), and power output (Ppv) of the PV module, as well as the temperature at four specific points (T1, T2, T3, T4) on the module. These measurements provide insights into the system's electrical and thermal performance.

Output: The output of the system consists of detailed measurements of its electrical performance, including the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc), and total power output (Ppv) generated by the PV module. These metrics provide a comprehensive understanding of the PV module's efficiency under varying conditions. Additionally, temperature data from the four monitored points (T1, T2, T3, T4) offers insights into the thermal behavior of the PV module and its impact on energy generation. Together, these outputs enable the evaluation of system behavior, allowing users to identify optimal operating conditions and improve the overall efficiency and performance of the photovoltaic system.