Introduction

A Solar PV (Photovoltaic) System is a system that converts sunlight into electrical energy using solar panels. In this practical session, we learned the basic working mechanism of a PV system, including panel voltage, current, efficiency, series connection, and total power.

Objective

The main objective was to understand the basic working of a solar PV system and practically check the electrical values of solar panels. We also checked two different solar systems and noted their specifications.

Basic Working Mechanism

Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into DC electrical energy. When solar panels are connected in series, the voltage increases while the current remains approximately the same. The generated DC power can then be supplied to an inverter, which converts it into AC power for use.

Practical Observation – Solar System 1

We checked the first solar system and recorded the following values:

  • Total panels: 20
  • Connection: Series
  • Single panel voltage: 37.3 V
  • Total voltage: 746 V
  • Panel efficiency: 16.7%
  • Current: 20 A
  • Company: Panasonic Solar
  • Total wattage: approximately 740 W as noted

Practical Observation – Solar System 2

We also checked a second solar system:

  • Total panels: 6
  • Connection: Series
  • Single panel voltage: 39 V
  • Total voltage: approximately 232 V
  • Panel efficiency: 20%
  • Maximum panel voltage: 41.8 V
  • Current: 13 A
  • Company: Vikram Solar
  • Panel rating: 545 W
  • Total capacity: approximately 3.2 kW

Conclusion

Through this practical activity, we learned the basic working of a Solar PV System. We understood how solar panels generate electricity and how series connections affect voltage. We also checked two different solar systems, measured their important electrical parameters, and recorded the observations. This practical helped us understand the real-world application of solarenergy systems.