ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
ABEN 4420: Renewable Energy for AB Applications
Laboratory Exercise No. 1
Estimation of Solar Energy Resource
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
I. Introduction
Solar power is energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy.
Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available which
holds immense potential to sustainably address the world’s growing energy demand.
Solar energy is one of the promising renewable energy sources in the Philippines. With
the abundant exposure of the country to the sun, it makes the country build a very large
potential in harnessing solar energy. Solar energy systems today can now use to power
homes, cars, appliances, businesses, and cities. The most common form of solar energy
used today are photovoltaic solar panels, which absorb the sun’s light to create electricity.
These solar panels can be attached to homes as a primary or secondary source of electric
power. They can also be used for small appliances and machines which only need small
amounts of electricity for use. Large scale photovoltaic panel plants have also been
constructed to provide power to many homes. As the world increasingly turns towards
renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil
fuels, solar energy stands out as a clean, sustainable, and versatile solution with the
potential to revolutionize the global energy landscape.
This laboratory exercise covers the calculation of the energy acquired from a solar
panel through the use of multimeter and compass.
II. Objectives
After performing this exercise, the student should be able to;
1. Interpret voltage, current, and power output data from solar panels.
2. Use a digital multimeter to measure voltage and current in a solar PV system.
3. Identify environmental factors affecting solar energy production, such as shading and
weather conditions.
4. Understand the units used in expressing solar energy production (kWh) and apply the
formula to calculate energy production based on voltage, current, and time.
5. Understand the importance of panel orientation in optimizing solar energy capture.
6. Draw conclusions about the solar energy potential at the selected location, considering
environmental factors.
7. Reflect on sustainability by consider the role of solar power as a renewable energy
source and its potential impact on environmental conservation.
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
III.Procedure
1. The location for the experiment was chosen based on accessibility and open space.
Utilizing a map and compass, the team then determined the orientation (azimuth) of the
selected location.
Fig 1. Location
Location: CLSU Oval
Latitude: 15°44’13.7”N
Longitude: 120°55’54.1”E
Azimuth: 180°
2. The solar PV panels were set up at the chosen location, with careful attention paid to
ensure they faced the correct azimuth.
Fig 2. Solar Panel on its location
3. Connect the solar panels to a digital multimeter to measure the generated voltage and
current.
Energy (kWh) =Voltage (V) ×Current (A) ×Time (hours)
Fig 3. Connecting of Solar Panel to the Multimeter
4. Throughout the experiment, any shading on the solar panels was meticulously observed
and documented. Careful analysis was then conducted to assess how this shading
impacted the panel's energy production.
Fig 4. Shading of Solar panel
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
5. The experiment delved into the impact of orientation on energy production by
manipulating the solar panels' tilt angle. Throughout this exploration, meticulous records
were kept documenting the changes in power output associated with each new
orientation.
Fig 5. Documentation
6. A thorough analysis was conducted to explore the intricate relationship between weather
conditions, shading, and energy production. The team meticulously compared energy
production data gathered under various circumstances, carefully dissecting the impact of
both weather and shading variations.
7. Having considered the various environmental factors at play, researchers were able to
draw conclusions about the solar energy potential at the selected location.
IV. Results and Discussions
The group's chosen open area on the oval was at first base of the baseball field.
Figure 1. Location of the experiment.
The experiment consisted of five trials, with three replications for each. The chosen
orientation of the solar panel serves as the intervention, and the panel's output voltage and
ampere are repeated in accordance with its orientation. Using a multimeter, the output voltage
and current are measured.
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
Subsequently, the energy will be calculated using the following formula using the collected
data:
Voltage (V) X Current (A) × 0.5 hours equals Energy (E).
Table 1
DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE
1. South 180º 1:47 PM 16.77 4.98
Bearing: South 19.07 5.00
19.04 5.09
Average 18.29 5.02
Table 2
DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE
South 180º 1:50 PM 15.94 0.68
Half Shaded 16.84 0.69
Bearing: South 16.5 0.70
Average 16.43 0.69
Table 3
DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE
South-West 218 º 1:55 PM 15.51 4.01
Bearing: South 17.06 3.92
38 º West 16.09 3.85
Average 16.22 3.93
Table 4
DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE
North 8 º 2:00 PM 12.3 1.81
Bearing: North 14.36 1.90
8 º East 14.46 1.93
Average 13.71 1.88
Table 5
DIRECTION TIME VOLTAGE AMPERE
Northwest 296 º 2:01 PM 16.67 4.31
Bearing: North 16.42 4.37
64 º West 14.76 4.31
Average 15.95 4.33
The tables above illustrate the acquired values of voltage and amperes and the
bearings in accordance with the procedure given by the instructor. Table 1 shows the
direction of South 180 º with a bearing of South which is the panel is facing South, which
according to theories that will receive the most direct sunlight making it the best direction for
solar panels. Based on the data gathered it has an average voltage and current of 18.29 and
5.02 simultaneously. These numbers then testify that above acquired voltage and current has
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
high values compared to the 2nd situation whereas the panel is also facing South but is half
shaded, to the 3rd situation which the panel is facing South-west 218 º, 4th situation with the
direction of North 8 º and last direction which is facing Northwest 296 º.
Formula
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time
Solar Panel
Current: 4.76 A
Voltage: 21.03 V
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time = 21.03 x 4.76 x 0.5 = 50.0514 Wh
Table 6. Energy Acquired per Trial
1. South 180 º 2. South 180 º Half Shaded
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time Energy = Voltage x Current x Time
Energy = 18.29 x 5.02 x0.5 Energy = 16.43 x 0.69 x 0.5
Energy = 45.91 Wh Energy = 5.67 Wh
3. Southwest 218 º 4. North 8 º
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time Energy = Voltage x Current x
Energy = 16.22 x 3.93 x 0.5 TimeEnergy = 13.71 x 1.88 x 0.5
Energy = 31.87 Wh Energy = 12.89 Wh
5. Northwest 296 º
Energy = Voltage x Current x Time
Energy = 15.95 x 4.33 0.5
Energy = 34.53 Wh
Using the formula given above, energy was calculated. The panel that was facing
South 180 º has an accumulated energy of 45.91 Wh for 0.5 hours, which making it as the
highest energy compared to the four others. It was then followed by 34.53 Wh from
Northwest 296 º direction, thirdly by Southwest 218 º direction with a 31.87 Wh energy. If
the panel facing South has the highest energy, in contrary panel facing south that is half
shaded got the lowest energy of 5.67 Wh, followed by North 8 º direction as the 2nd lowest
energy acquired.
The time, weather, location, and orientation of the panel have specific effects on
obtaining high energy output. The location of the solar panel must be in an open area to be
continuously exposed to direct sunlight. Weather conditions like rainy or cloudy can cover
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ABEN 4420- Renewable Energy for AB Applications
the sunlight so the solar panel can produce low energy just like the half-shaded treatment.
Solar panel's orientation is required to be at the best direct sunlight angle depending on the
time of day to have high energy output.
V. Lifelong Learnings
Energy production may be impacted by the solar panels' orientation and the
surrounding obstructions. We can maximize the effectiveness and performance of the solar
panels by positioning them correctly and away from any obstructions that may prevent
sunlight from reaching them. Moreover, the solar panel's daily energy output can be increased
by creating a device that follows the movement of the sun rather than remaining motionless.
VI. References
Solar Energy Industries Association (2024). Solar Energy.
https://www.seia.org/initiatives/about-solar-energy
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