Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 01
Title: Demonstration and Measurement of Solar Radiation using Pyranometer.

Aim: To Measure the Solar Radiation and determine power for series & parallel Connection.

Introduction:

Background and Theory

The first step in assessing a site for suitability for solar power production is to analyze
the solar resources available. Since the available solar resources vary greatly with respect to
local weather conditions, location, time of day, and time of year, it is generally agreed that
accurate site data needs to be taken over an extended period of time in order to determine the
amount of energy available in the environment. One year’s data is a common, although even
longer time frames are preferred. While solar resource data is available in various online
databases, some of which are given in the Resources tab of this experiment, these databases
only cover macro solar data, for example data gleaned from orbiting satellites, or for specific
monitoring points, such as from installed metrological weather stations, which do not always
provide information relevant to the particular site that is being assessed. For example,
buildings, trees, fog, clouds, smoke, smog, pollution and other locally variable factors can
greatly influence the amount and quality of solar energy available.
This Virtual Lab experiment is designed to teach the process of actual, applied solar
energy site assessment using modern data acquisition systems and the relevant data post-
processing techniques. At the end of this experiment, the student will have the necessary
skills to analyze solar data for a real-world assessment of a site for solar power production.
GHI of a site can be found out by DNI cos (theta) + DHI. The Pyranometer reading could be
verified using the solar tracker module. The angle theta is as shown in figure below:

Solar Radiation Measurements

There are numerous types and components of solar radiation as shown in the list
below. Units are typically in W/m2.
1. Irradiance – the instantaneous quantity of solar radiant energy incident on a surface per
unit area.
2. Diffuse solar irradiance – the solar irradiance on a horizontal surface due to only sky
radiation. This does not include the direct solar irradiance, which is defined next.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 1

 Mechanical Engineering Department

3. Direct solar irradiance, also called the “direct solar irradiation” or the “direct normal
irradiation (DNI)” – the solar irradiance on a surface held perpendicular to the sun’s rays
while blocking the diffuse sky radiation.
4. Global solar irradiance, commonly called the “global radiation” – the solar irradiance on a
horizontal surface which includes both direct sunrays and diffuse sky radiation.
5. Reflected solar irradiance – the short-wave radiation which is reflected upward from the
Earth’s surface.
6. Net terrestrial radiation – the long-wave radiation coming off the Earth’s surface minus the
upward radiation through a horizontal surface near the Earth’s surface.
7. Net total irradiance – the downward irradiance minus the upward radiation as measured
over the entire spectrum.

In addition, a portion of the incoming solar radiation is absorbed, reflected and

reemitted by the atmosphere and the earth. The following figure illustrates this concept.The
following image shows the solar spectral intensity distribution at the top of the Earth’s
atmosphere and at the Earth’s surface. The solar irradiance received at the top of the Earth’s
atmosphere is about 1367 W/m2; this number is normally termed the “solar constant”.
Solar Energy Measurements – Pyranometer

Near the equator, on the Earth's surface on a sunny day at solar noon, when the sun is
most nearly directly overhead, a maximum of approximately 1000 W/m2 of global radiation
is received. This number is commonly called "Standard Solar Radiation" and is the standard
that many photovoltaic solar cells are tested to. Solar irradiance, is measured in terms of
power per unit at a particular time. The units can be W/m2, kW/m2. This, measurement, is
instantaneous and is only valid for a particular point in time.A more useful measurement is
the amount of solar energy received per unit area over a given time frame. This is called
irradiation or solar insolation. Typical units for this are Wh/m2, kWh/m2 or MJ/m2. The
irradiation can be found by integrating or performing a numerical “Riemann” sum of the
irradiance over time. Standard values that can be found are the average daily insolation, the
average monthly insolation, and the average yearly insolation. Average values are very
important to gather, as solar radiation can change dramatically over the short term, but are
reliable when averaged over the relevant longer time frame. A proper assessment of the
energy collected is essential to determining the type of solar energy technology and the
capacity installed.

Broad area maps for this information have been compiled by various agencies, usually
governmental and are freely available for download from the official sites. This data is
frequently compiled from interpolated satellite data. While useful for determining the

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 2

 Mechanical Engineering Department

likelihood of a project’s feasibility, it does not provide the detailed and localized data
necessary for a proper site assessment to choose a technology or capacity for installation.
GHI is the "global" radiation measured on a horizontal plane. It is global in the sense that it
includes both direct and diffuse irradiation. As a result GHI is particularly useful for
predicting the power production of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, since solar PV panels can
utilize both direct and diffuse solar radiation. However, most solar PV panels are not oriented
in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the irradiance received over a non-horizontal plane can be
determined by multiplying it by the cosine of the minor angle between the horizontal and
plane of the solar panel. GHI is normally measured with a pyranometer. An image of the
pyranometer used in this experiment is below.

Observation Table:

A. Series Connection

Sr.No
V I Power
. Resistance
voltage Current (Vx I)
1.

2.

3.

4.

B. Parallel Connection

Sr.No. V I Power
Resistance
voltage Current (Vx I)
1.

2.

3.

4.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 3

 Mechanical Engineering Department

Conclusion:

Virtual Lab to perform Experiment:

Solar Energy Measurements - Pyranometer (Theory): Solar energy Labs: Mechanical

Engineering: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=77&brch=298&sim=1625&cnt=1

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 4

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 02
Title: Performance Evaluation of Photovoltaic Cell (PV Cell).

Aim: To determine power for series & parallel Connection in PV Cell.

Introduction:

Background
Sun is considered as the prime source of energy on the planet earth because of the vast
amount of energy that is freely made available. Solar energy being green, renewable source
of energy should be tried to get the maximum output from and used in different ways. The
most common and easiest ways is using photovoltaic cells, which will directly convert solar
energy to electricity.

Solar PV cell

A solar photovoltaic cell is an electronic device which produces direct current when
sun light is incident on it. Photovoltaic materials like mono crystalline silicon, polycrystalline
silicon, amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide/sulphide
are used in a solar cell. These cells are electrically connected together to make a solar
photovoltaic module.

Theory of operation

The cells work on the principle called photovoltaic effect. When the light beam hits
the solar panel, the photons excite the electrons to a higher energy state and acts as the charge
carriers for an electric current. There is an electric field in the panel structure which
combined with the movement of the electrons causes an electric current.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 5

 Mechanical Engineering Department

Relation with the incident light

Power produced by a solar cell is proportional to the power of the incident light and
the angle at which the panel is kept to the incident light. When the Panel is kept perpendicular
to the sunlight, power density on the panel is maximum. When the panel is aligned parallel to
the sunlight power density is zero.

Necessity for tracking the sun

Throughout the day after the sunrise the sun moves in the sky from east to west. So
the direction of the incident light on the panel also changes. In order to have maximum
efficiency, the panel has to be kept perpendicular to the incident light always.

Finding the sun position

In order to align the panel perpendicular to the sunlight always, we first need to know
the suns position at a given place and time. Sun position in the sky is decided by the
following factors
Sun Elevation
Sun Azimuth

Solar Elevation
Solar Elevation or Solar Altitude refers to the angle the sunlight makes with the
horizontal. When the sun is directly above our head the elevation is 90 degree. When the sun
is on the horizon during sunset or sunrise, the elevation is 0 degrees. Elevation is decided by
the following parameters
 Latitude of the place.
 Declination of the earth.
 Time and date.

Latitude is marked from 0 degree to 90 degree. It’s generally marked from the equator to the
north south axis.
Declination is the angle which the equatorial plane of the earth makes with the line joining
the centre of the earth and the sun.
Declination of the earth varies with the date of the year.

So we have,

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 6

 Mechanical Engineering Department

Zenith is always marked on the vertical plane. It refers to the angle the sunlight makes
with the vertical. When the sun is directly above our head the zenith is 0 degree. When the
sun is on the horizon during sunset or sunrise, the zenith is 90 degrees. Both the Elevation
and the Zenith are always marked on the vertical plane

Solar Azimuth

Azimuth refers to the angle the north south line makes with the line drawn from the point of
reference and the suns projection on the horizontal plane. Azimuth is always marked on the
horizontal plane. Azimuth of the sun is depending on the declination, latitude of the point of
reference, Solar Elevation, time of reference and latitude of the point of reference.

So we can pin point the position of sun in the sky if we have the Solar Elevation (α),
Solar Azimuth (Α). The panel is placed at an angle calculated using the above equations, if
the user picks automatic tracking and the panel moves to the user selected angle if the
tracking mode is manual.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 7

 Mechanical Engineering Department

Observation Table:

A. Series Connection

Sr.No
V I Power
. Resistance
voltage Current (Vx I)
1.

2.

3.

4.

B. Parallel Connection

Sr.No. V I Power
Resistance
voltage Current (Vx I)
1.

2.

3.

4.

Conclusion:

Virtual Lab to perform Experiment:

Solar PV Tracker (Theory): Solar energy Labs: Mechanical Engineering: Amrita Vishwa
Vidyapeetham Virtual Lab

https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=77&brch=298&sim=1629&cnt=1/2

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 8

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 03
Title: Industrial Visit to Wind Power Plant.

Introduction:

 Industry Name:
 Place:
 Class:
 Total Students:
 Date:
 Faculty:

History:
 Power Plant:
 Plant Layout:
 Theory:
 Diagrams:

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Non Conventional Energy Sources” by G.D.Rai,Khanna Publication.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 9

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 04
Title: Study of Indian Electricity Grid Code 2003 & its amendments.

Aim: To Study of Indian Electricity Grid Code 2003 & its amendments.

1) Introduction of IEGC:

 Objective of IEGC:
 Scope of IEGC:
 Structure of IEGC:
 Role of RLDC:
 Role of RDC:
 Role of CTU:
 Role of SLDC:

2) Inter state Transmission:

 Objective:
 Scope:
 Planning Data:
 Procedure:

3) Correction Code:

 Objective:
 Scope:
 Procedure:
 4) Operating Code:
 Objective:
 Scope:
 Procedure:

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Power Engineering” by Prof.R,S.Kulkarni,Suvidha Engineering

Publication Page no 24-31

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 10

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 05
Title: Study of Combined cycle Power Plant.

Aim: To Study of Combined cycle Power Plant.

Introduction:

Main Components of Combined cycle power plant

 Heat Recovery System

 Choice of Fuel Cell

Coal Based Power Plant

 Electricity Production system

 Stage-I,II,III

Gas based combined cycle power plant

 Electricity Production system

 Stage-I,II,III

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Power Plant Engineering” by Arora & Dhomkundwar,Dhanpat Rai
Publication.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 11

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 06
Title: Study of Typical Load Curve.

Aim: To study of typical load curve of hydroelectric power plant and its performance
analysis.

Introduction:

 Base Load Power Plant:

 Peak Load Power Plant:
 Consumer & Supply System:
 Load Curves:
 Types of load Curves:
 Performance of Hydro, Thermal & Nuclear Power Plant:

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Power Plant Engineering” by Arora & Dhomkundwar,Dhanpat Rai
Publication.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 12

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 07
Title: Industrial Visit to Hydroelectric Power Plant and Switch Yard.

Introduction:

 Industry Name:
 Place:
 Class:
 Total Students:
 Date:
 Faculty:

History:
 Power Plant:
 Plant Layout:
 Theory:
 Diagrams:

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Non Conventional Energy Sources” by G.D.Rai,Khanna Publication.

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 13

 Mechanical Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO. 08
Title: Energy Audit: Case Study of Organization.

A) Introduction:
 Need for Energy Audit:
 Types of Energy Audit:
 Steps in Energy Audit:
 Activities in Energy Audit:

B) Case Study
 Industry Name:
 Place:
 Class:
 Total Students:
 Date:
 Faculty:
 History:
 Theory:
 Audit Report:
 Diagrams:

Conclusion:

Refer the book of “Power Engineering” by Prof.R,S.Kulkarni,Suvidha Engineering

Publication Page no 24-31

Prepared by-D.D.Patil, Asst.Proff (NMCE, Peth)Page 14