Design of a maximum power point sensor for photovoltaic systems

Author

Schripsema, J. ; Johnston, M. ; Holmes, A.

Author_Institution

AstroPower Inc., Newark, DE, USA

fYear

2002

fDate

19-24 May 2002

Firstpage

1469

Lastpage

1472

Abstract

One of the challenges inherent in assessing the performance of a large number of grid-connected photovoltaic systems is the cost of the tools necessary to measure and record solar irradiance and PV array temperature. This paper presents a new, low-cost tool called a maximum power point sensor that is designed to predict the performance of an PV array and act as a reference from which to gauge the energy produced by a system. Such a device could also be used to provide an indication of potential problems within a system. The design, construction, and field testing of this device is described.

Keywords

atmospheric measuring apparatus; photovoltaic power systems; power measurement; solar cell arrays; solar cells; sunlight; temperature measurement; thermistors; PV array performance prediction; PV array temperature recording; field testing; grid-connected photovoltaic systems; maximum power point sensor; photovoltaic systems; solar cell; solar irradiance recording; thermistor network; Extraterrestrial measurements; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Resistors; Sensor arrays; Sensor systems; Temperature distribution; Temperature sensors; Thermistors; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE

ISSN

1060-8371

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7471-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190887

Filename

1190887