New experimental method for measuring power characteristics of photovoltaic cells at given light irradiation

Abstract

U-I characteristics - or electric power - as function of electrical voltage or current - of a solar panel (PV cell or panel) gives important information for developers, engineers and users. From this reason to get U-I plot or characterization of the electric power of a solar panel plays important role at the tests. In this paper a new and easy experimental method for U-I measurement (indirectly measured electric power data) for PV cells will be introduced. The new idea describes a simple, fast and reliable way how to get U-I characteristics - or power properties - of PV cells in a laboratory at a university using basic experimental tools.