69776 - Laboratory of Photovoltaics

Learning outcomes

Knowledge about the operating principles, fabrication technology and design for photovoltaic cells and small photovoltaic plants.
Microcontroller-based control for small photovoltaic plants.

Course contents

1. Introduction to renewable energy conversion from sun
   1. Solar radiation and standard reference spectra.
   2. Outline of semiconductor physics, direct and indirect band-gap materials, light-matter interaction, optical generation, recombination mechanisms, analytical model of solar cells under dark and illumination conditions, solar cell figures of merit (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, conversion efficiency, series and shunt resistance).
   3. Working principles of a p-n junction solar cell, equivalent circuital model.
   4. Loss mechanisms (recombination, optical and resistive), figures of merit sensitivity to temperature.
2. Photovoltaic systems
   1. Solar panels (series and parallel cell connections, current and voltage mismatch, bypass and blocking diodes).
   2. Stand-alone and grid-connected systems.
   3. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT): Perturb & Observe algorithm, incremental conductance method and fractional open voltage method.
   4. DC/DC power converters (boost, buck) and inverters: design and working principle.
   5. Design of a small-power solar system ( < 10kW).
   6. Grid connected systems.
3. Experimental measurement techniques
   1. Basics of measurement techniques for solar cells and modules.
   2. Experimental characterization of solar cells (dark and illuminated I-V characteristics, measurement of figures of merit, quantum efficiency, photoluminescence).
4. Modelling of photovoltaic systems and devices
   1. Introduction to SPICE circuit simulation.
   2. SPICE simulation of solar cells and modules.
   3. SPICE simulation of photovoltaic systems (photovoltaic array, power converters).
   4. Introduction to Simulink simulator.

Laboratory activity:

1. SPICE simulation of solar cells, modules. Effects of shading, current and voltage mismatch.
2. SPICE simulation of power conversion circuits.
3. Matlab/Simulink simulation of photovoltaic systems.
    4. Design and implementation of circuits for power   conversion (DC-DC boost converter).

Readings/Bibliography

[1] Luis Castaner, Santiago Silvestre, Modelling Photovoltaic Systems Using PSpice, Wiley, 2002 (ISBN: 978-0-470-84527-1).

[2] Adolf Goetzberger, Joachim Knobloch, Bernhard Voss, Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells, John Wiley & Sons, 1998 (ISBN: 978-0-471-97144-3).

[3] Martin A. Green, Solar Cells: Operating Principles, Technology, and System Applications, Prentice-Hall series in solid state physical electronics, 1981 (ISBN-13: 978-0138222703).

Teaching methods

Classroom teaching (30%)
Laboratory work (70%)

Assessment methods

Final exam is the only way to assess skills (theoretical and experimental) discussed during class and laboratory activities. The oral exam is aimed at testing the expected competence and covers the entire course program. During examination a report about at least three laboratory activities is discussed. The mandatory report must be prepared before the final test (at least four days before) and sent to the teacher by email (.pdf format). The oral examination assesses also the language pertinence and correctness, the clarity and the conciseness of the report. The result of the final examination is a qualifying examination.

Teaching tools

Slides and an example of report on laboratory activities is available on Insegnamenti online – IOL.

On Insegnamenti online – IOL are uploaded also slides and class projects (SPICE, Simulink) for the laboratory activities. Inside the Laboratory of Electronics and Telecommunications LELe (Lab 3.2, room 3003) at Cesena Campus (Via dell’Università n. 50) are available the software tools SPICE and Matlab/Simulink, the experimental setup including electronic components and test instruments (digital oscilloscope, waveform generator, power supply, digital multimeter).

Further details are illustrated in the web page of Laboratory LELe.

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Zanuccoli