Design, fabrication and evaluation of solar irradiation meter

Abstract

Measurement of solar irradiation finds extensive use in photovoltaic(PV) panel characterisation and efficiency estimation. A solar cell based light irradiation meter provides better dynamic performance and is cost effective as compared to a thermopile based pyranometer. To predict the output of a PV panel accurately, it is important to match the spectral response of solar cell sensor with PV panel. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar cell based irradiation meters have been developed in laboratory. Their relative performance is evaluated under different irradiation and temperature conditions and calibrated against standard commercial solar irradiation meter with good results.