PV Panels

Solar panels are a widely used source of energy today. Panels, also
known as solar panels, convert light from the sun into electricity. The
amount of energy of sunlight coming into the world is 10 thousand times
the amount of energy we use. There are many solar cells on the panels to
absorb solar energy. Thanks to the panels, the solar heat and light coming
to the earth turns into usable energy. The use of panels is increasing day
by day. Panels that were used only in buildings in the past years are now
being used in large areas. Solar panels are installed on lands that are not
suitable for agriculture. Thanks to the panels, the solar energy needed is
met. Many solar panel manufacturers have announced and started to
launch smart module solutions.
PV P anels: Theory and Cons truction
Photovoltaic modules consist of a large number of solar cells and use photons from the Sun
to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Most modules use wafer-structured
crystalline silicon or thin-film cells. The module may also need a charge carrier layer. The
cells must be protected from mechanical damage and moisture. Most modules are rigid, but
semi-flexible ones based on thin-film cells are also available. The cells are connected in
series for the desired voltage and in parallel for the current value. The power of the module is
expressed in watts, which is the mathematical result of voltage (in volts) and current (in
amperes) and is also related to the amount of light. The production specifications on solar
panels are obtained under standard conditions (usually not reflecting the actual operating
conditions under which the solar panels are installed). A PV junction box is mounted on the
back of the solar panel, which acts as the output interface. Solar panels also use metal
frames consisting of racking components, brackets, reflector shapes and corrugations to
better support the panel structure.
 PV module arrays
A single solar module can produce a limited amount of power; most installations have
multiple modules. A photovoltaic system typically includes an array of photovoltaic modules,
inverter, battery pack, charge controller, interconnecting cables, circuit breakers, fuses,
disconnect switches, voltage meters and optionally a solar tracking mechanism. The
equipment is carefully selected to optimize output and storage and reduce power loss during
power transfer.
S mart s olar modules

S mart modules differ from conventional solar panels in that they offer functionalities such as
module-embedded power electronics, panel-level maximum power point monitoring and
enhanced security. Power electronics connected to the frame of a solar module or to the
photovoltaic circuit via a connector are not considered smart modules. Maximum power point
tracking (MPPT) power optimizers are a DC-DC converter technology developed to maximize
the power from solar photovoltaic systems by compensating for shading effects caused by
shade falling on a section of a module or more cell arrays in the module falling close to zero,
but the output of the entire module does not drop to zero.
Technology
Most solar modules are currently manufactured from solar cells made from poly- or
monocrystalline silicon (c-Si). In 2013, crystalline silicon accounted for more than 90% of
worldwide PV production, while the rest of the overall market consists of thin-film
technologies using cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and
amorphous silicon (a-Si). Emerging third-generation solar technologies use advanced thin-
film cells. They produce a relatively high-efficiency conversion at a lower cost compared to
other solar technologies. Moreover, because they offer the highest power generated per
kilogram lifted into space, high-cost, high-efficiency and compact rectangular multi-junction
(MJ) cells are often used in solar panels on spacecraft.

Thin film

Flexible thin-film cells and modules are formed on the same production line by depositing the
photoactive layer and other required layers on a flexible substrate. If the substrate is an
insulator (e.g. polyester or polyimide film), monolithic integration can be used. If it is
conductive, another technique for electrical connection must be used. The cells are
assembled into modules by laminating a transparent, colorless fluoropolymer, typically
ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) on the front side
and a suitable polymer for bonding to the final substrate on the other side
Efficiency of P V Panels
Each module is rated for DC output power under standard test conditions and therefore
output power in the field may vary. Power typically ranges from 1 00 to 365 Watts. The
efficiency of the module determines the area of the module when evaluated at constant
output; for example, a 230 W module with 8% efficiency will have twice the area of a 230 W
module with 1 6% efficiency. Some commercially available solar modules exceed 24%
efficiency. Currently, the best solar light conversion rate (solar module efficiency) achieved in
new commercial products is about 21 .5%. The most efficient mass -produced solar modules
have power density values of up to 1 75 W/m2 . In general, the electrical parameters of
photovoltaic modules are measured by indoor testing. However, outdoor testing has
significant advantages such as no expensive artificial light source, no sample size limitation
and more uniform sample illumination.
Maintenance of P V P anels
Efficiency, typically in the 20% range, is reduced by the accumulation of dust, dirt, pollen and
other particles on the panels. "A dirty solar panel can reduce power capacity by up to 30% in
high dust/pollen or desert areas," says S eamus Curran, associate professor of physics at the
University of Houston and director of the NanoEnergy Institute. Cleaning for solar panels can
be done manually, mechanized, with installed hydraulic systems (such as sprinklers),
installed robotic systems and deployable robots. Manual cleaning tools are by far the most
common cleaning method, most likely due to their low purchase cost. However, a 201 4 study
in S audi Arabia found that "installed robotic systems, mechanized systems and installed
hydraulic systems are probably the three most promising technologies for use in cleaning
solar panels"
Production of PV Panels
This study is prepared to examine the effect of systemic and environmental factors of the
panels that affect the performance of the photovoltaic power plant. For this purpose, the
parameters affecting the performance of solar panels were investigated. In addition, thermal
tests and current-voltage parameters of the measured system were also analyzed to
examine the effect of shading, damage and heat losses. According to IEC standards, in-situ
measurements of the panels were made and current-voltage curves were analyzed. By
comparing the measured values with the data in the STC, it was examined how it affects the
panel performance and how this situation affects the photovoltaic power plant, and the
change in performance values was observed with the help of the graphs created.