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Procedure 1
Results 2
Analysis 2
Discussion 2
Lab
UITM KAMPUS SABAH technique & 2
skills
Total 10
PHY360
PHYSICS LABORATORY
(INSTRUMENTATION AND APPLICATION)
LABORATORY REPORT
Title
Determination of characteristic of Solar Energy
Theory
Solar energy has been used by humans for thousands of years. For example, ancient cultures used
energy from the sun to keep warm by starting fires with it. They also kept their homes warm through
passive solar energy designs. Buildings were designed so that walls and floors collected solar heat during
a day that was released at night to keep them warm.
The discovery of photovoltaics happened in 1839 when French physicist, Edmond Becquerel first showed
photovoltaic activity. Edmond had found that electric current in certain materials could be increased
when exposed to the light
Solar cells generate an electrical current when light hits their surface. White light that we see from the
sun includes all colours of the visible spectrum and ranges in wavelength from about 400 nanometers
(nm) to about 780 nm. Solar cells are varying in their response to different wavelength, colour of light.
White 390−780
Violet 390−455
Blue 455−495
Green 495−575
Yellow 575−600
Orange 600−625
Red 625−780
Solar cells like batteries each have a rated value of voltage (V or volts) and amperage (A or amps). The
total power in wattage (W or watts) delivered is the voltage times the amperage.
Materials
1. Encapsulated Solar cell/panel of 10W, Isc = 0.66A, Voc = 21.3V, size (16.5” × 10.7”
×1.31 )
2. Metal Halide or tungsten Halogen Discharged Lamp: 1000W, 240V/50Hz.
3. Multimeter to measure Milli-Amps.
4. Colour filter (blue, green, yellow and red).
5. Retort stand
Procedure
Objective
To demonstrate how solar cells and panels are connected, like batteries, to achieve certain ratings of
voltage and amperage.
Materials
1. 2 solar panels : Encapsulated Solar cell/panel of 10W, Isc = 0.66A, Voc = 21.3V, size (16.5” ×
10.7” ×1.31 )
2. Metal Halide or tungsten Halogen Discharged Lamp: 1000W, 240V/50Hz.
3. Digital mutimeter
Procedure
Objective
To demonstrate how solar cells and panels are connected, like batteries, to achieve certain ratings of
voltage and amperage.
Materials
1. 2 solar panels : Encapsulated Solar cell/panel of 10W, Isc = 0.66A, Voc = 21.3V, size (16.5” ×
10.7” ×1.31 )
2. Metal Halide or tungsten Halogen Discharged Lamp: 1000W, 240V/50Hz.
3. Digital mutimeter
Procedure
Analysis
For solar cell series panel, For solar cell parallel panel
V T = V1 + V2 A T = A1 + A2
V T =1.36V+1.36V A T =23.7A+23.7A
V T =2.72V A T =47.4A
Discussion
Solar cell generates an electrical current when light hit their surface. Solar cells also vary in
their responds to different wavelength or colour of light. In solar cell output, it depends on the colour
filter that we used. In this experiment on wavelength of light that hits a solar panel, it shows that
different colour of filter has its own different reading of wavelength and different wavelength has its own
reading of cell output. There are three experiments that we have conducted, that is experiment A, B and
C.
In experiment A, we have determined the solar cell output (mA) by covering the solar cell with
different filter colour. As we know, every colour has a different wavelength. So, the output power of solar
panel will change as the different colour in the different wavelength was put on the solar panel. We can
see from the experiment, where the yellow colour filter has the highest reading of current (mA), 21.6A
and the green colour filter has the lowest reading of current (mA), 18.7A. In this experiment, some error
has been occurring because we do not get the accurate result. The highest reading should be blue filter
colour because the blue colour filter has the highest energy as the wavelength is lowest than the others.
In experiment of solar cell series panel, its DC volts should be double while the value for DC
amps should be same for both the panels and two panels connected in series. In solar cell parallel panel,
its value of DC amps should be double for the while the value of DC volts should be the same for both
one panel and two panels connected in parallel.
From the experiment B conducted, in series, the volume of DC volts we get is 2.61V while the
single solar is 1.36V, if it is double, the value should be 2.72V. In DC amps of series solar cell panel, the
value we get is 20.4V and in single solar cell is 23.7A. The value of DC amps should be same.
In parallel solar cell panel, experiment C, the value of DC amps we get is 44.0A; while in single
solar cell is 23.7. When the DC amps are double, it should be 47.4A. The value we get too far from the
value that we should get. While in DC volts value, we get 1.30V, in single cell is 1.36V. Its value should be
same.
From the experiment conducted, there are several error occur. It may be, because of the
instrument that we used. The instrument we used is old version; it may affect the effectiveness output of
the solar panel. The other factor is, because of the distance of solar panel we used with the lamp bulb is
too far. The difference between the solar panel and lamp bulb is about 27 cm.it maybe can affect the
amount value transmitted to solar cell. Other than that, parallax error may happen such as human error.
As we know, the solar cell panel is very sensitive to touch, some our group members have touch it, and
so its maybe can give effect to the reading of DC volts and DC amps in both solar cell series and parallel.
So that, some precaution we should take before doing this experiment. Such as does
not touch the sensitive item, try to measure the distance which is suitable to take result of solar
panel and the instrument should be checked first before doing an experiment so that there are
no error occur on instrument.
Conclusion
The reading of the solar cell output has change as we cover the solar panel with different colour of filter.
Where, the highest reading should from the lower wavelength. In experiment A, the yellow colour has
the highest reading, 21.6 while green colour has the lowest reading, 18.7. In experiment B and C, we
have been demonstrate how solar cells and panels are connected in the series and parallel to achieve
voltage and amperage. The reading of the DC amps of parallel should be double from the single solar cell
of DC amps reading but we failed to get it. Thus, the experiment is not achieved.