Photovoltaic Solar Cell Virtual Lab

This is the first in a series of 'Virtual Laboratories' - a set of multimedia simulations for distance learning students on the 'MSc Renewable Energy' programme for CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy) at Loughborough University. The objective of the labs is to provide an interactive simulation of the on-campus experiment so that students can participate 'virtually' in the lab and collect their own real data and graphs for to help them write up a report on the experiment.

Main Objective of Lab
The aims of the experiment are to:

• Measure the characteristic (IV) curve for a range of Si PV cell types under various irradiance and temperature conditions;
• Quantify the maximum power point (MPP) for each technology under these conditions;
• Compare the performance characteristics of the different types of photovoltaic samples.

After completing the experiment and analysing the data , the student will gain an insight into:

• The relative performance of each Si PV cell under various temperature and irradiance regimes

The procedure to be followed will involve the use of a 'virtual optical' bench on which photovoltaic samples will be tested and measured under different levels of illumination and temperature.

Once the student has collected and analysed the data, they are required to produce a lab report for submission to the CRESTDL WWW site. The "Report" section of this software package provides more information on producing a report, including the facility to upload their work.

SCREEN SHOTS:
Selecting a Photovoltaic  Cell
Adjusting the environmental conditions
Gathering data for changing voltage and current
Approximating a 'best fit' line for an IV curve

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Photovoltaic Solar Cell Virtual Laboratory:
APPLICATION DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
ACADEMIC CONTENT PROVIDED BY
Dr Paul Rowely