Improving Soba Solar Contact Cover for Fixed PV Modules by Using Acrylic Sheets

Abstract 

In this research specifications of acrylic plate had been examined to evaluate its reliability to be used as alternative for the glass cover in the SobaSolar fixed PV modules. The maximum power of a fixed PV module composed of × . solar cell panel in outdoor test was found to be about: 3.42 Watts, that is when acrylic cover was attached to the module replacing the normal glass. This results showed that no significant change in the maximum power was made by using acrylic glass cover, since the indoor test value of the maximum power was found to be: 3.58 Watts.

Table of contents

Dedication. III

Acknowledgment. IV

Abstract. V

Arabic abstract. VI

Table of content. VII

List of figures. IX

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Energy and life. 1

1.2 Objectives of the dissertation. 2

1.3 Statement of the problem of the dissertation. 2

1.4 Outline of the dissertation. 3

Chapter Two

Back ground

2.1 Solar energy and electric power production. 4

2.2 What is a semiconductor? 5

2.3 Importance of semiconductor. 6

2.4 Governing principles of Solar Energy. 6

2.4.1 Solar irradiance. 6

2.4.2 Solar constant. 7

2.4.3 Solar spectrum. 8

2.4.4 Ultraviolet ,Visible and Infrared Radiation. 9

2.4.5 Ways for converting Solar energy into electrical energy. 10

2.4.6 Comparison between solar photo photovoltaic plant and 11

solar thermal power plant.

2.5 Photovoltaic cell. 12

2.5.1 Photovoltaic characteristics. 12

2.5.2 Principle of Operation of PV cell. 13

2.5.3 Open circuit voltage and temperature. 14

2.5.4 Module Current and Irradiance. 16

2.5.5 PV cell efficiency. 16

2.5.6 Fill factor. 17

Chapter three

Alternatives for PV Modules Glass Cover

3.1 Soba Solar. 18

3.2 Alternatives for the glass contact cover. 19

3.3 Poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). 19

Chapter four

Methodology

4.1 Method. 23

4.2 Measurements. 23

Chapter five

Results, discussion and conclusion

5.1 Results. 25

5.1.1 Indoor Measurement. 26

5.1.2 Outdoor Measurement. 26

5.2 Discussion. 27

5.3 Conclusion. 28

5.4 Recommendations. 28

References. 29