The Effects of Weather Conditions on Solar Photovoltaic panels
School Name
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Solar energy is one of the largest renewable energy sources available in today’s market. The energy that a solar photovoltaic panel obtains from the sun is related to the sun’s irradiance and weather conditions of the operating panel. The purpose of this project is to determine how different weather conditions can impact the efficiency of a solar panel? Weather conditions such as cloud coverage, ice, dust, and snow will be tested with simulation materials on miniature solar panels rather than industrial solar panels due to the multiple weather conditions to be tested. If the surface of the solar photovoltaic panels are covered by the weather simulation material, then the materials will have an effect on the output of the panels. In the project, six solar panels will be used in the experiment, three of the 2-volt photovoltaic panels and three of the 10-volt photovoltaic panels. One out of the three of both of the 2-volt and 10-volt panels will be the control and not have a weather simulation material on the panel. Out of the weather conditions that were tested, cloud coverage, Ice, dust, and snow each showed how each weather simulation material effected the pv cell. The hypothesis is accepted because through the data obtained during the trials shows the trend of the solar panels producing less voltage as more weather simulation material is added. More weather conditions will be tested in the future such as fog and rain etc. Keywords: Solar Panel Photovoltaic Weather Conditions Simulation
Recommended Citation
Snyder, Brandon, "The Effects of Weather Conditions on Solar Photovoltaic panels" (2018). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 220.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2018/all/220
Location
Lassiter 222
Start Date
4-14-2018 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
The Effects of Weather Conditions on Solar Photovoltaic panels
Lassiter 222
Solar energy is one of the largest renewable energy sources available in today’s market. The energy that a solar photovoltaic panel obtains from the sun is related to the sun’s irradiance and weather conditions of the operating panel. The purpose of this project is to determine how different weather conditions can impact the efficiency of a solar panel? Weather conditions such as cloud coverage, ice, dust, and snow will be tested with simulation materials on miniature solar panels rather than industrial solar panels due to the multiple weather conditions to be tested. If the surface of the solar photovoltaic panels are covered by the weather simulation material, then the materials will have an effect on the output of the panels. In the project, six solar panels will be used in the experiment, three of the 2-volt photovoltaic panels and three of the 10-volt photovoltaic panels. One out of the three of both of the 2-volt and 10-volt panels will be the control and not have a weather simulation material on the panel. Out of the weather conditions that were tested, cloud coverage, Ice, dust, and snow each showed how each weather simulation material effected the pv cell. The hypothesis is accepted because through the data obtained during the trials shows the trend of the solar panels producing less voltage as more weather simulation material is added. More weather conditions will be tested in the future such as fog and rain etc. Keywords: Solar Panel Photovoltaic Weather Conditions Simulation
