PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR

ENERGY MODULAR TRAINER

DL SOLAR-B
Manual
 DL SOLAR-B
Contents

1. Solar energy: our commitment 5 Exercise 3: Changing the azimuth of the 47

solar panel
to the environment Exercise 4: Covering the solar panel with 48
1.1. Basic principles and concepts 6 different materials
Mechanical work, energy and power: 6
definitions, laws and units 2.3. Solar Irradiation throughout the 49
Transformation of mechanical energy 7 Day
History of energy-conversion technology Exercise 1: Obtaining the solar irradiation 49
8
data
Electrical energy and power: definitions 8
2.4. Solar Panel Voltage-Irradiation 53
and units
Heat energy: definitions and units 10 Curve, Current-Irradiation Curve
1.2. Energy from the Sun 12 and Resistance of the Solar Panel
Exercise 1: Obtaining the solar panel 54
1.3. Electricity directly from the Sun 15
voltage-irradiation curve
Photovoltaic effect and photovoltaic cells: 15
Exercise 2: Calculating the inner 56
history and definitions
resistance of the solar panel
How does a photovoltaic cell work 15
2.5. Current-Voltage Characteristics of 58
1.4. Solar energy received on land 16
the Solar Panel
surface Exercise 1: Obtaining the solar panel 59
Positioning of solar panels 16 current-voltage curve
Standard Test Conditions (STC) and its 21 2.6. Solar Panel Power Measurements 65
aplication Exercise 1: Obtaining the solar panel 67
1.5. Characteristics of a solar cell 23 current-power curve
Exercise 2: Overloaded solar panel 70
2. DL SOLAR B 25 measurements
2.1. Basics of the Solar Trainer 26 2.7. Using Solar Panel to Charge the 72
2.1.1. Identification of the components of the 26 Battery
trainer Exercise 1: Battery charging 73
2.1.2. Current, voltage and power measurements 41 75
2.8. Using Solar Panel and Battery to
Exercise 1: Measuring the load current, 41
voltage and power Power DC Load
Exercise 1: Supplying DC load 76
2.2. Irradiation and Temperature 44
Measurements 2.9. Using Solar Panel and Battery to 78
Exercise 1: Setting the solar panel to the 45 Power AC Load
most irradiated position Exercise 1: Supplying AC load 79
Exercise 2: Changing the inclination of the 46 Appendix 81
solar panel Index 83
1 Solar energy: our commitment
to the environment

1.1. Basic principles and concepts

1.2. Energy from the Sun
1.3. Electricity directly from the Sun
1.4. Solar energy received on land surface
1.5. Characteristics of a solar cell
 1
1.1. Basic principles and concepts
Mechanical work, energy and power: definitions, laws and units
Key words

t NFDIBOJDBM
FOFSHZ Mechanical energy is capacity of the body for doing work.

t NFDIBOJDBM
XPSL
E is the symbol used to represent energy.
t NFDIBOJDBM
QPXFS
The SI derived unit for energy is the J (joule).
t FMFDUSJDBM
FOFSHZ 1 J = 1 Nm, where N is the SI unit for the force and m is the SI unit for
t FMFDUSJD
DIBSHF the distance.
t FMFDUSJD
QPXFS
Mechanical energy is the sum of kinetic energy and potential energy.
t +PVMF
t
8BUU
E = Ek + Ep
t L8I
Kinetic energy is a form of energy that an object or a particle has due
to its motion.

mv 2
Ek
2

Gravitational potential energy is an energy that an object possesses

because of its reference position (Rp) in a gravitational field.

v The reference position (Rp) is usually chosen to be the position of zero

displacement (Figure 1.1-1).
Rp
Ep = mgh

h
Mechanical work is a measure of energy transfer that occurs when an
reference line object is moved over a distance s [m] by an external force F [N].

1.1-1
W = F s [J]
Airplane taking off from the land
Mechanical power is the time rate of doing mechanical work W or de-
livering energy E, expressible as the amount of work done W, or energy
transferred, divided by the time interval t.

W
P
t

The SI derived unit for power is the W (watt).

Another unit for measuring power, often used in automobile industry, is
horsepower (HP).
1.1-2 1 HP = 745.699872 W
Mechanical work 0HFKDQLFDOHIFLHQF\LVIXQGDPHQWDOLQGHQLQJWKHPHFKDQLFDOZRUN
function of machines in terms of forces and motions. Because of friction,
the work, energy or power output from a machine is always lower than

6 DL SOLAR-B
 1
the input energy. For this reason, the HIFLHQF\, which is the ratio of the
two, is always less than 100 percent.
Efficiency is the ratio of the work, energy or power output and the work,
energy or power input.

Wo E P
K= 100 = o 100 = o 100 [ % ]
Wi Ei Pi

Conservation law, also called the law of conservation implies that

energy can be neither created nor destroyed, although it can be chan-
ged from one form (mechanical, kinetic, chemical, etc.) into another.
James Prescott Joule (1818.-1889.)
Transformation of mechanical energy
An ideal system
A simple example of a system in which energy is being converted from
one form to another is provided in the descending of a wagon with mass
m DORQJ WKH UDLOZD\ JXUH :KHQ WKH ZDJRQ LV UXQ GLDJRQDOO\
from the top, its speed and thus its kinetic energy Ek increases. At the
same time gravitational potential energy Ep descreses. Total sum of
energy has not changed, i.e. it is constant. Applying the law of conserva-
tion and conversion of energy and assuming there is no friction in the air,
DQGZLWKWKHVXUIDFHHTXDWLRQVZHGHQHWKHIROORZLQJHTXDWLRQV

Ek 1 + E p1 = Ek 2 + E p 2
mv12 mv 2
+ mgh1 = 2 + mgh2
2 2

mv 2
1.1-3 Ek
2
Transformation of potential to kinetic
energy
Ep = mgh
ZKHUHLV
m [kg] - mass
m
v - velocity
s
m
g 2 - gravity acceleration
s

h [m] - hight from zero point
1 - start
2 - end

Solar energy: our commitment to the environment 7

 1
1.4. Solar energy received on land surface
Key words
Positioning of solar panels
t
B[JNVUI
t
MBUJUVEF 6RODUSDQHOVDUHPRVWHIFLHQWZKHQWKH\DUHSRVLWLRQHGDWWKH
t
JODMJOBUJPO DQJOHRIWRWKHVXQUD\V
t
TVO
QFBL
IPVST a) In northern hemisphere, solar panel should be oriented
towards the south (S).
b) In southern hemisphere, solar panel should be oriented
towards the north (N).
This RULHQWDWLRQ is known under name of azimuth.
In an ideal case, on the northern hemisphere an azimuth should
be changed from south-east in the morning to south-west in the
evning tracking the path of the Sun trough the day.
7RWDORULHQWDWLRQ includes both, azimuth and angle of incli-
nation, represented by and angle of latitude RQWKHJXUHV
below.

Optimal angle of inclination () is equal to latitude.

7RWDORULHQWDWLRQLVUHSUHVHQWHGE\IRUPXOD

=
1.4-1
D]LPXWK 
Solar panel is positioned in point A oriented to the north on
the earth surface under angle of 0, parallel with the earth
surface. Sun rays target to point on the panel surface under
the angle 120. This is far away from ideal angle of 90. How
can we correct this value? Obviously, we have to decrese it,
as shown in figure 1.4-2 below.

1.4-3 1.4-4
Orientation from north (N) Orientation from south (S)
to south (S) in northern to north (N) in southern
hemisphere hemisphere

1.4-2
Angle of inclination in fact is the latitude of a point A where
the solar panel is placed.
1.4-5 1.4-6
Inclination and azimuth of solar Inclination and azimuth
panel in northern hemisphere. of solar panel in southern
hemisphere.

16 DL SOLAR-B
 1

1.4-9
Solar system. The Earth has third position from the Sun.
Notice: all planets rotate around the Sun on the same plane,
named plane of the Ecliptic.

Unfortunatly, the Earth does not rotate around its axis

1.4-7 perpendicular to the plane of the Ecliptic. Its axis is incli-
Oscilation Earth axis around the cone. Summer on the north QHGXQGHUDQJOHRI$YHUDJHYDOXHRIWKLVLQFOLQDWLRQLV
hemisphere.


Earth axis is inclined under average angle of 23.5.

Changing of sezons through the year is due to oscilati-

RQRI16D[LVDURXQGWKHFRQHJXUHDQG
,QJXUHWKHIROORZLQJVLWXDWLRQLVREVHUYHG
Sun rays target the Arctic area (N) under the angle . At
the same time, the Antarctic area (S) is hiden in the shade.
,QJXUHWKHVLWXDWLRQLVH[DFWO\WKHRSSRVLWH
Sun rays target the Antarctic area (S) under the angle . At
the same time, the Arctic area (N) is hiden in the shade.
7KLV IDFW FRPSOLFDWHV WKH SUHYLRXV H[SODQDWLRQ RI GH-
ning an optimal angle of solar panel.
Fortunately, an answer is very simple. The explanation is
provided on the next page.

Interesting facts

In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth

is the angular distance of that location south or north
1.4-8 of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually
measured in degrees (marked with ). The equator has
0TDJMBUJPO
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BSPVOE
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8JOUFS
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hemisphere. a latitude of 0, the North pole has a latitude of 90
north (written 90 N), and the South pole has a latitude
of 90 south (written 90 S).

Solar energy: our commitment to the environment 17

 1
&RPSDUHJXUHVDQG
)LUVWO\ZHFDQQRWLFHDVLPSOHIDFW
Sun rays target equator (B) under same angles, J Bs and
J Bw , during the summer and winter periods. This is the
explanation why we have the same weather in equato-
rial area in all sezons.
Compare angles J As and J Aw between Earth surface
and sun rays.
J As < J Aw
This means that the sun rays target point A under angle
FORVHUWRLGHDOLQWKHVXPPHU,QWKHVDPHWLPHVXQ
rays target point A in the winter under angle far from
LGHDO
Because of that, we have to correct conclusion from
1.4-10 previous page.
Summer on the north hemisphere
Optimal angle of inclination () is equal to latitude
corrected with corrective angle.

&RUUHFWLYH DQJOH YDOXHV DUH SURYLGHG LQ WKH WDEOH 

These values depend on latitude and season.
&RUUHFWHGWRWDORULHQWDWLRQ is represented by the for-
PXOD
 FRUUHFWLYHDQJOH
D]LPXWK 

&RUUHFWLYHDQJOH
Latitude
In Winter In Summer
WR  
WR  
WR  
WR  
1.4-11 DQGPRUH  
8JOUFS
PO
UIF
OPSUI
IFNJTQIFSF
Table-3
Corrective angles

18 DL SOLAR-B
 1
Example 7

<RXUKRPHLVSODFHGLQDUHDZLWKODWLWXGHRIDSUR[,I\RXGHFLGHWRLQVWDOOVRODUSDQHOVRQWKHURRIFDOFXODWHRS-
WLPDORULHQWDWLRQ
a) during the winter season
Result:
b) during the sommer season
 FRUUHFWLYHDQJOH
  Dw 
corrective anglew  w 
corrective angles 
_____________________ Es 
 " s 

Interesting facts

Described determination of ideal panel

orientation with azimuth 180 strictly to
the south on the northern hemisphere and
to the north on the southern hemisphere is
suitable for the panels installed on the fixed
objects, for example roofs, like in example 7.
Twice in the year we have to adjust angle of
latitude depending on the season using va-
lues from the table 3, corrective angles.
But can we determinate the orientation of
moveble objects? Take a look at the picture
right.
From our own experience we know:
The Sun heats on the best way if we turn
strictly against it. Early in the morrning azi-
muth is less then 180 and panel is oriented
almost to the east against the Sun. In the
noon azimuth is equal 180 and panel is oriented strictly to the south against the Sun. Finally, in the evning, azimuth
is great then 180 and panel is oriented almost to the west against the Sun. Simply, the best orientation of the panel is
BHBJOTU
UIF
4VO
8F
DBO
USBDL
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4VO
NBOVBMZ
UBSHFU
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4VO
PQUJDBMZ
4FF
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JO
UIF
GPMMPXJOH
DIBQUFS

Solar energy: our commitment to the environment 19

 1
Example 8
Rh Ri
0RQWK
>NZKP2] >NZKP2] Imagine your home somewhere in Central Europe on the latitude
Januar  54 RI
February 45 65 &DOFXODWHWKHHQHUJ\UHFLYHGIURPWKH6XQLQ0D\XVLQJDP2
March 94  VRODUSDQHO
April   a) positioned horizontaly
May 158  b) positioned under the best angle
June 166 162 F ZKDWLVWKHGLIHUHQFH"
July 172 172
August 145 158   Result:
September 111  a P2 a) Eh = Rh a
October 66 96 Rh= 158 kwh/m2 Eh = 158 kwh/m2P2
November  54 R NZKP2
_____________
i Eh = 474 kwh
December   a) Eh " b) Ei = Ri a
Annual sum 1179  b) Ei " Ei NZKP2P2
c) Ei Eh " Ei NZK
Table-4
Monthly iradiation for the panel positioned c) Ei Eh NZKNZK
horizontaly (Rh) and inclinated (Ri) Ei Eh = 6 kwh

1.4-12
Dailly sum of global irradiation per month
Rh - horisontaly positined panel ( = 0)
Ri - panel positined optimaly under angle of inclination ( = 36)

20 DL SOLAR-B
2 DL SOLAR B

2.1. Basics of the Solar Trainer

2.2. Irradiation and Temperature Measurements
2.3. Solar Irradiation throughout the Day
2.4. Solar Panel Voltage-Irradiation Curve, Current-
Irradiation Curve and Resistance of the Solar
Panel
2.5. Current-Voltage Characteristics of the Solar
Panel
2.6. Solar Panel Power Measurements
2.7. Using Solar Panel to Charge the Battery
2.8. Using Solar Panel and Battery to Power DC
Load
2.9. Using Solar Panel and Battery to Power AC
Load
2
Note
The following are the main characteri-
TUJDT
PG
%$"$
JOWFSUFST
t Input voltage. Module DL 9013 ran-
ge is 10.5 16 V.
t Output voltage. Corresponding to
the supply network.
t Power to supply
3BUFE
BU

8
t Output waveform. Since DL 9013
JT
18.
UZQF

JU
IBT
MJNJUBUJPOT
TVQ
plying circuits with inductive charac-
teristics.
t Efficiency. This characteristic corres-
ponds to the energy transfer factor
and is expressed in percentages.
The optimum value 100% cannot be
achieved. Module DL 9013 has an
efficiency close to 90%.
78 DL SOLAR-B
2.9. Using Solar Panel and Battery to Power
AC Load
Objective of the exercise
Use both solar power and energy stored in the battery to power the AC
load.
Learn the application of inverters.
Required equipment
Solar panel, battery, protective module (DL 9014), measurement module
(DL 9021), charge regulation module (DL 9012S), inverter (DL 9013),
AC load module (DL 9017)
Introductory examples
 1DPHDWOHDVWWKUHHKRPHDSSOLDQFHVWKDWUHTXLUH'&FXUUHQW
_______________________________________________________
 1DPHDWOHDVWWKUHHKRPHDSSOLDQFHVWKDWUHTXLUH$&FXUUHQW
_______________________________________________________
 :KLFKGHYLFHLVQHHGHGWRWUDQVIRUP'&FXUUHQWWR$&FXUUHQW"
_______________________________________________________
4. Describe the pulse-width modulation basics.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
 2
Exercise 1: Supplying AC load
&RQQHFWWKHPRGXOHDFFRUGLQJWRWKHJXUHEHDULQJLQPLQGWKH
IROORZLQJ
EUHDNHULQPRGXOH'/LVVHWWR2))
VZLWFKHVLQPRGXOH'/DUHVHWWR2))

2.9-1
Connection scheme of exercise 1 )ROORZWKHGHVFULEHGSURFHGXUHDQGOOLQWKHIROORZLQJWDEOH

1. Find the position in which the solar panel provides highest irradiation
(read the azimuth using compass and inclination using the angle-me-
WHUEXLOWLQWRWKHVLGHRIWKHVRODUSDQHOBBBBBBIURPWKHQRUWKDQG
BBBBBBIURPWKHKRUL]RQWDOSRVLWLRQ
 (QDEOHWKHEUHDNHURIWKH'/PRGXOHWRFRQQHFWWKHEDWWHU\WR
the circuit.
 6ZLWFKRQWKHKDORJHQODPS
 Using the charge regulation module DL 9012S read the voltage of the
battery.
 Using the charge regulation module DL 9012S read the load current

6. Calculate the DC power.

 8VLQJWKHPHDVXUHPHQWPRGXOH'/UHDGWKH$&ORDGSRZHU

DL SOLAR B 79
 2
8. Knowing input and output power to the inverter, calculate the inverter
HIFLHQF\
9. Switch off the halogen lamp and switch on the LED lamp.
 5HSHDWSRLQWV
11. Switch on the halogen lamp.
12. Repeat points 4-8.
 'LVDEOHWKHEUHDNHURIWKH'/PRGXOHGLVFRQQHFWLQJWKHEDWWHU\
from the circuit.

+DORJHQ /(' +DORJHQ/('

Voltage (V)

Load current (A)

DC power (W)

AC power (W)

,QYHUWHUHIFLHQF\

Questions for evaluation

1. Which element limits the load power that can be supplied in this exer-
FLVH"([SODLQZK\

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

80 DL SOLAR-B
 DE LORENZO S.p.A.
V. le Romagna, 20 20089 Rozzano (MI) Italy
Tel. +39 02 8254551 Fax +39 02 8255181
www.delorenzoglobal.com
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