Solar Simulator Development for 50 WP Solar Photovoltaic Experimental Design Using Halogen Lamp

Abstract

Indoor testing with a solar simulator is recommended to acquire the steady-state performance of a PV Solar Panel. Because of the simplicity, reproducibility, and dependability of data, the solar simulator allows for more efficient test findings. This can be accomplished by modifying and manipulating the test circumstances as needed. Several conditions must be met during the testing of the solar simulator, including power density, uniformity and stability of irradiance intensity (not exceeding 10%), spectral energy distribution, and angle of sunlight incident. Besides, the light source that replaces the sunlight is an important factor in developing a solar simulator. In this study, halogen lamps were chosen because of their reliability, low cost, and easy availability in the market. This solar simulator is designed for experimental testing on the development of Solar PV panels with a capacity of 50 WP. The solar simulator test performed at a distance of 75cm between the lamp and the solar panel, with five voltage variations: 100 volts, 125 volts, 160 volts, 190 volts, and 225 volts. Based on the ASTM E927 standard, the results of the solar simulator test in class B are obtained with an effective area of 16%. This result brought the best non uniformity of 2.61% at a voltage of 190 volts and the highest irradiance intensity of 1156.313 W/m2 at 225 volts.