| Title: |
Beam, Diffuse, and Global Irradiance Sensor for Solar Panels |
| Category: |
Faculty |
| Intellectual Property: |
Student team assigns intellectual property management to University of Arizona |
| Year: |
2009 |
| Semester: |
Fall |
| Sponsor Name: |
Biosphere 2 |
| Sponsoring advisors: |
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| Sponsor URL: |
http://www.b2science.org |
| Sponsor Information: |
Biosphere 2 is a laboratory for interdisciplinary scientific studies, an arena for discovery, and a provider of public education. It is a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. Biosphere 2 catalyzes interdisciplinary thinking and serves as an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and the public by distilling issues related to Earth systems planning and management. |
| ITAR Restriction: |
No |
| Scope of work: |
Advances in PV technology are being made on multiple fronts: more efficient cells convert more of the light energy striking them to electric energy (e.g., triple junctions); lower cost panels use polycrystalline or thin film technologies; more usable light is concentrated on cells without overheating (e.g., holographic mirrors); and panels are being better positioned to take full advantage of solar energy.
UA researchers and industry representatives have developed solar cell testing facilities at both the Biosphere 2 facility and at Tucson Electric Power’s Test Yard. Computerized data acquisition from hundreds of PV modules by 10 manufacturers are answering questions that include:
- how do PV systems perform in southern Arizona?
- how does temperature affect each component of a PV system?
- how do clouds, winds, aerosols, and rain affect PV systems?
- what is the annual, daily, and 1 Hz energy yield of different PV systems?
A system of four irradiance sensors is desired for evaluating the performance of solar panels. The beam component of solar irradiance (from within 5 degrees of the sun) should be measured with pyrheliometer that tracks the sun. Measurements of diffuse irradiance (sky light) on a horizontal surface are also needed. Lastly, global irradiance (beam plus diffuse) on a horizontal surface, and on an inclined surface are needed.
Measurements should be accurate to within 1% throughout the wide range of temperatures and irradiance levels found in Arizona. Data should be acquired at 1 Hz rates and uploaded daily to a database at the UA. The sensors should respond to changes with a 1 second-time constant. The spectral content of radiation that is usable for silicon and triple junction solar modules should also be reported.
The system will be deployed in the field at Biosphere 2, and possibly at several other solar test yards, eventually providing spatial and temporal maps of the solar resource for photovoltaic output power forecasting. |
| Project summary: |
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| Disciplines: |
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Electrical Engineering (1)
Systems Engineering (1)
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (1)
Optical Sciences and Engineering (1) |
| Skills: |
ooptoelectronics
effective client communication
robotics
analog electronics |
| Additional resources: |
Biosphere 2 has become a highly diverse renewable energy test bed, with on-site energy generation including photovoltaic panels and solar water and space heating. Energy storage mechanisms include pumped hydro and phase change materials. A very large sodium sulfide battery also has been proposed.
Biosphere 2's diverse energy management options and large, diverse energy demands make it an ideal location for testing smart grid technologies.
In addition, both Biosphere 2 and Tucson Electric Power maintain computerized solar test yards. |
| Key Contact Name: |
Gary Woodard |
| Key Contact Email: |
gwoodard@sahra.arizona.edu |
| Key Contact Phone: |
626-5399 |
| Project URL: |
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| Mentor Name: |
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| Mentor Email: |
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| Mentor Phone: |
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