week 10

Measuring Solar Panel Power Output

Load of PV panel

The power output of a solar panel depends on the resistance of the electrical load to which it is connected. In an open circuit situation (infinite resistance) the voltage of the solar panel will be high, but no current will flow and therefore no power is generated. In a short circuit situation (zero resistance) current flows, but with zero voltage and so again no power is generated. These results all follow from ohms law  which gives the relationships between voltage, current, resistance, and power.A collection of power resistors of different values are required. A power resistor is a resistor  which can cope with high power (and therefore heat) without being damaged. A standard 1/4 or 1/2 watt resistor will not do the job as it will overheat and be destroyed. Pictured above is a 2 Ohm resistor rated up to 50 Watts of power. power output is totally depending on the value of the resistor used.

The analysis would require instrumentation to measure 2 parameters:

1. System voltage
2. System current

connection of multimeter


reading and measurement 

above is the video to measure PV panel using Multimeter.

Measuring Wind and Hydro power output

 For wind and hydro energy, it involve of turbine parts which is it converts mechanical energy to electrical form. Therefore, to measure theturbine we have to make a  reservoir that with enough pressure for the water to turn the turbine. As for educational purpose, we are replacing big turbines with suitable size of turbine so that i will be ease and less cost to build. The method use are same as Pv panel measurement that is by using multimeter to measure the 2 parameters, voltage and current output.The modification of turbine are also affect the size of control circuit that are use. As for this project, we are using mini turbine 12V DC Hydroelectric Power Micro-hydro Generator. This turbine produce output that can be measured directly.this turbine are used in both wind and hydro trainer. This turbines also use to covert the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy. On the top of the large turbines there's a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Gears connect the generator to the turbine shaft and the electronic systems of the turbine regulate the motion in order to produce electric current of a specific frequency and voltage.The output power of the turbine are measure in power . (watts) . For wind energy the modification needed a suitable wind blade get the rotation from fan wind that applied. For hydro, the design on blade are basically to be capable of accommodating the pressure of water from the reservoir.To get the smooth and perfect rotation of the turbine, the design of blade has to be done. The design are depending on the pressure that will be applied to move the blade weight. 

 12V DC Hydroelectric Power Micro-hydro Generator

Features :

1. Unique hydropower separation technology, with unique dual clutch, magnetic circuit coupling volume is only about 4/5 of the normal micro hydroelectric generator, the output power is 2 to 3 times higher than the ordinary generator.

2. High efficiency, long life of waterway design and low flow loss, low water pressure, load short circuiting, also can start smoothly.

3. 4.2V/ 5V/ 12V/ 80V, total 4 models for option~

1). F50-80V : 0 to 80V DC output, generator without regulating circuit, peak voltage reach 80V, can be directly charging for 3-12V 10W LED lights or for small storage battery, the charging current is 220 ma, because when charging the battery in the same time it also being used in a timely manner, so the voltage automatically maintain at about 14V, so it can keep the right voltage for the storage battery charging.

2). F50-12V : 12V DC voltage output, can give the power or recharge for the radio with 12V working voltage, or for the LED.

3). F50-4.2V : 4.2V DC output, can recharge for the ordinary lithium battery etc.

4). F50-5V : 5V DC voltage output, can charging for the mobile phone, can also recharge for the ordinary lithium battery with management chip etc.


Specification :

1. Water inlet/outlet : 1/2"
2. Output Voltage : 4.2V/ 5V/ 12V/ 80V
3. Max power : 10W
4. Output Current : max 220mA
5. Outlet closed highest pressure : 0.6MP
6. Outlet opening the highest pressure : 1.2MP
7. Startup pressure 0.05 Mpa
8. Working Temperature Range : 5°C ~ 85°C

measurement of hydro power

the working principles of hydro turbines

Hydro turbines

Design of wind blade

Calculator to calculate expected wind power output.