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Lab 2

This document outlines a laboratory exercise on estimating solar energy resources. The objectives are to understand factors that affect solar energy production like panel orientation, shading, and weather. Students measure voltage, current, and energy from solar panels facing different orientations. The results show that a south-facing unshaded panel at noon produced the most energy of 45.91Wh, while a south-facing half-shaded panel produced only 5.67Wh, demonstrating how orientation and shading impact solar energy capture. The time, location, weather, and panel orientation all influence obtaining the highest energy output from solar panels.

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60 views4 pages

Lab 2

This document outlines a laboratory exercise on estimating solar energy resources. The objectives are to understand factors that affect solar energy production like panel orientation, shading, and weather. Students measure voltage, current, and energy from solar panels facing different orientations. The results show that a south-facing unshaded panel at noon produced the most energy of 45.91Wh, while a south-facing half-shaded panel produced only 5.67Wh, demonstrating how orientation and shading impact solar energy capture. The time, location, weather, and panel orientation all influence obtaining the highest energy output from solar panels.

Uploaded by

Sunshine Evangelista Palma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING


ABEN 4420: Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Laboratory Exercise No. 1


Estimation of Solar Energy Resource

CLSU-CEn-DABE: BSABE PROGRAM


ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications

I. Introduction

Provide your own introduction

II. Objectives

After performing this exercise, the student should be able to;


1. Interpret voltage, current, and power output data from solar panels.
2. Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage and current in a solar PV system
3. Identify environmental factors affecting solar energy production, such as
shading and weather conditions
4. Understand the units used in expressing solar energy production (kWh) and
apply the formula to calculate energy production based on voltage, current,
and time
5. Understand the importance of panel orientation in optimizing solar energy
capture
6. Draw conclusions about the solar energy potential at the selected location,
considering environmental factors
7. Reflect on sustainability by consider the role of solar power as a renewable
energy source and its potential impact on environmental conservation

III. Procedure

1. Choose a location for the experiment based on accessibility and open space.
Use a map and compass to determine the orientation (azimuth) of the
selected location.
2. Set up the solar PV panels at the chosen location, ensuring they are facing
the correct azimuth.
3. Connect the solar panels to a digital multimeter to measure the generated
voltage and current
Energy (kWh) =Voltage (V) ×Current (A) ×Time (hours)
4. Observe and document any shading on the solar panels throughout the
experiment time. Analyze how shading affects energy production.
5. Experiment with different orientations of the solar panels (e.g., change the tilt
angle). Record the impact of orientation changes on energy production
6. Analyze the relationship between weather conditions, shading, and energy
production. Compare energy production data under different circumstances
7. Draw conclusions about the solar energy potential at the selected location,
considering environmental factors

IV.Results and Discussions

The group's chosen open area on the oval was at first base of the baseball field.

Figure 1.Location of the experiment

There were five treatments in the experiment, each with three replications. The solar panel's

CLSU-CEn-DABE: BSABE PROGRAM


ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications

selected orientation is the treatment, and the output voltage and ampere of the panel are
replicated according to its orientation. The output voltage and current are measured with a
multimeter.
Afterwards, the data gathered will be used to compute the energy using the formula:
Energy (E) = Voltage(V) × Current(A) × 0.5 hrs

DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE


1. South 180º 1:47 PM 16.77 4.98
Bearing: South 19.07 5.00
19.04 5.09
Average 18.29 5.02

2. South 180º 1:50 PM 15.94 0.68


Half Shaded 16.84 0.69
Bearing: South 16.5 0.70
Average 16.43 0.69

3. South-West 1:55 PM 15.51 4.01


218 º 17.06 3.92
Bearing: South 16.09 3.85
38 º West Average 16.22 3.93

4. North 8 º 2:00 PM 12.3 1.81


Bearing: North 14.36 1.90
8 º East 14.46 1.93
Average 13.71 1.88

5. Northwest 2:01 PM 16.67 4.31


296 º 16.42 4.37
Bearing: North 14.76 4.31
64 º West Average 15.95 4.33

Solar Panel
Current: 4.76 A
Voltage: 21.03 V
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time = 21.03 x 4.76 x 0.5 = 50.0514 Wh

Formula
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time

1. South 180 º 2. South 180 º Half Shaded


Energy = Voltage x Current x Time Energy = Voltage x Current x Time
Energy = 18.29 x 5.02 x0.5 Energy = 16.43 x 0.69 x 0.5
Energy = 45.91 Wh Energy = 5.67 Wh

3. Southwest 218 º 4. North 8 º

CLSU-CEn-DABE: BSABE PROGRAM


ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications

Energy = Voltage x Current x Time Energy = Voltage x Current x


Energy = 16.22 x 3.93 x 0.5 TimeEnergy = 13.71 x 1.88 x 0.5
Energy = 31.87 Wh Energy = 12.89 Wh

5. Northwest 296 º
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time
Energy = 15.95 x 4.33 x 0.5
Energy = 34.53 Wh

The groups chosen orientation was southwest 218°, north 8°, northwest 296°, and the
required orientation was south 180° and half-shaded south 180°. The different orientation of
the solar panel has a significant effect on the energy computed by the group, treatment 1
has the highest energy output with 45.91 wH. And it is obvious that the half-shaded panel
has the lowest energy output at 5.67 wH. Aside from treatment 2 which is the half-shaded
panel that automatically has the lowest energy output, the treatment 4 has the second lowest
energy output proving that 8° north is not an ideal orientation for that time of day.

The time, weather, location, and orientation of the panel have specific effects on obtaining
high energy output. The location of the solar panel must be in an open area to be
continuously exposed to direct sunlight. Weather conditions like rainy or cloudy can cover
the sunlight so the solar panel can produce low energy just like the half-shaded treatment.
Solar panel's orientation is required to be at the best direct sunlight angle depending on the
time of day to have high energy output.

V. Lifelong Learnings

VI.References

CLSU-CEn-DABE: BSABE PROGRAM

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