Experimental Investigation of Effect of Environmental Variables on Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Module

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 12 | Dec-2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2017, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 6.171 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 13
Experimental Investigation of Effect of Environmental Variables on
Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Module
Pratish Rawat#
#HOD and Assistant Professor, Mechanical Department, Poornima University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
-----------------------------------------------------------------------***------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract: In the present study, experimental investigation
of effect of environmental variables on performance of solar
photovoltaic module has been conducted. The experiments
were performed at 100 kW rooftop solar power plant and
the research laboratory of Mechanical Engineering
Department at Poornima University, Jaipur, India (Latitude:
26055” and Longitude 75046”). An experimental
investigation was carried out to specifically evaluate the
performance of 300W Polycrystalline Solar Photovoltaic
(PV) module under various environmental factors such as
dust, temperature, humidity, altitude, vegetation, ground
type etc. The outcome of test results indicates that every
variable has considerable amount of impact on the
performance of solar photovoltaic module. This paper
elaborates the investigation methodology, outcome under
different set up conditions and the results have been
discussed in this paper. It has been observed that various
small measures related to environmental issues if handled
efficiently can make a significant impact on improving the
operational efficiency of solar PV plants of larger capacities.
Keywords: Solar cells, PV efﬁciency, Dust, Humidity,
Air velocity, Photovoltaic, Vegetation, Ground Type
1. INTRODUCTION
Energy is one of the most significant factor in the economic
development of any country. With increase in an economic
development of country also increases the energy
consumption of that country. The world daily oil
consumption in today’s scenario is 85 million barrels of
crude oil and it is expected that by the year 2025 this will
increase to 123 million barrels per day. The 100kW solar
photovoltaic (PV) system installed on the roof of the
academic block of Poornima University, Jaipur serves as
model for the installation of PV systems in institutional
sector, which plays a major role in energy sustainability
and security while solving the greenhouse gas emission
problem of the nation. For diesel generators in developing
countries like India, the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
are one of the most promising and cost-effective
substitute. In India most of the people lives in rural and
remote areas where either the grid is not present or
electricity is not available all the time. In solar photovoltaic
system, high solar radiation incident on solar photovoltaic
module provide high electrical output but simultaneously
it also increases the surface temperature of the solar
module which results in decrease in the efficiency of the
solar module. At STP conditions and type of material of
solar cell, the electrical conversion efficiency of
commercially available solar module is in the range of 7–
15%. It has been found that with increase in 1 0C in
surface temperature of solar photovoltaic module, there is
decrease in efficiency by 0.5%. Various factors affect the
performance of solar photovoltaic module which are
discussed in this paper.
2. METHODOLOGY:
The experiments were carried out under the following
conditions:
Various parameters were evaluated during the
experiments such as solar intensity, wind velocity, ambient
temperatures, relative humidity, open circuit voltage, short
circuit current, power output, surface temperature of
module, fill factor, etc. The parameters were measured in
the month of July-August 2017 from 9.00 a.m. in the
morning to 4.00 p.m. in the evening.
Location Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Meteorological
Conditions
Latitude of 26.91ºN; Longitude
of 75.78ºE
Month July 2017 and August 2017
Time 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Figure 1. 300W solar module for experimental set up
Table 1. Specifications of 300W solar module employed
for the experimental study
2.1. Specification of plant
The rooftop solar PV plant installed at Poornima
University, Jaipur is of 100 kWP capacity. From the site of
MNRE, India it was found that Rajasthan has average solar
irradiation of 1266.52 W/m2 and average sunshine hours
is 5.5 hours. The plant will produce approximately 450
kWh per day and approximately 1,50,000 kWh per annum.
Figure 2: Block Diagram of 100 kWP rooftop solar power
plant at Poornima University
Figure 3: 100 kWP rooftop solar power plant at Poornima
University
2.2 Performance Evaluation
Photo Electric conversion efficiency, Ƞe = Im Vm (1)
GA
According to first law of thermodynamics, the exergy
equation for an open system under steady state
assumption, can be written as
in outE E
(2)
General equation for the exergy balance:
in out lossEX E E 
(3)
A solar cell's energy conversion efficiency is the
percentage of power converted and collected, when a solar
cell is connected to an electrical circuit. Energy efficiency
of the solar PV can be defined as the ratio of power output
Solar PV Module Specification
Model ELDORA 300
Make 300 W
Open Circuit Voltage 45.1 V
Short Circuit Current 8.74 A
Maximum Current 8.05 A
Maximum Voltage 37.28 V
Efficiency 15.63 %
Fill Factor 76.13%
NOCT 45 0 C

to energy input of the solar PV. The output power and
energy efficiency of the PV system, however, fluctuates
depending on solar insolation and surface temperature.
The energy conversion efficiency of the solar PV (ηenergy)
is calculated from the following equation: [1-2].
The current-voltage characteristics of the electric circuit of
solar cell can be described by the following simplified
equation
 
1 0 exp
sq V IR
A K T
I I I
  
 
  
   (4)
The electric power output of PV is:
Pel = I × V (5)
The maximum power output is given by:
Pmax = VOC × ISC × FF (6)
Pmax = Vmp × Imp
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
3.1. Performance of 300W Solar Photovoltaic
Module
The performance of 300W Solar Photovoltaic Module was
evaluated on July 15, 2017. Various factors were measured
such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, surface
temperature of photovoltaic module, open circuit voltage,
short circuit current and electrical efficiency. It has been
found that with increase in surface temperature of
photovoltaic module the efficiency decreases.
Table 2: Performance of 300W Solar Photovoltaic Module
Date: July 15, 2017
Time
Global
Radiati
on
(W/m2
)
Ambient
Temper
ature
(oC)
Surface
Temperat
ure of
Solar PV
(oC)
Power
(W)
Electrical
Efficienc
y of PV
system
(%)
9:00 269 32.3 37.5 75.988 14.41977
10:00 535 33.7 40.2 122.45 11.68344
11:00 722 34.4 41.5 151.13 10.68511
12:00 877 34.7 44.3 175.39 10.20871
13:00 997 34.9 46.8 189.01 9.677322
14:00 990 35.8 45.2 187.03 9.643655
15:00 881 36.4 44.1 177.88 10.30663
3.2. Effect of Wind Velocity and Altitude
The tests were conducted consist of three Solar
photovoltaic modules installed on the ground and three
Solar photovoltaic modules installed at the altitude of
about 150 feet i.e the roof of University. The performance
of both the test set-up was evaluated and various
parameters were noted. It has been found that with
increase in altitude the power generation capacity of
module increases. It is because of high wind velocity at
high altitude than ground. This results in good convective
heat transfer which reduces the surface temperature of
module and increases the efficiency.
Table 3: Effect of Wind Velocity and Altitude on
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 11:00, University Ground
Ambient
Temperatur
e (oC)
Humidit
y (%)
Wind
Velocit
y
(km/h)
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Power
Outpu
t of
Solar
PV
Panel
(W)
Efficienc
y of
Solar PV
Panel
(%)
34.4 30 3 722 133.86 9.46
34.4 30 3 722 134.33 9.49
34.4 30 3 722 138.79 9.81
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 13:00, University Ground
Ambient
Temperatur
e (oC)
Humidit
y (%)
Wind
Velocit
y
(km/h)
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Power
Outpu
t of
Solar
PV
Panel
(W)
Efficienc
y of
Solar PV
Panel
(%)
34.9 28 6.5 997 178.76 9.15
34.9 28 6.5 997 171.91 8.80
34.9 28 6.5 997 175.49 8.98
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 11:00, Altitude – 150 feet (Roof of
University)
Ambient
Temperatur
e (oC)
Humidit
y (%)
Wind
Velocit
y
(km/h)
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Power
Outpu
t of
Solar
PV
Panel
(W)
Efficienc
y of
Solar PV
Panel
(%)
34.4 30 7 722 151.13 10.68
34.4 30 7 722 148.91 10.52
34.4 30 7 722 150.10 10.61
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 13:00, Altitude – 150 feet (Roof of
University)
Ambient
Temperatur
e (oC)
Humidit
y (%)
Wind
Velocit
y
(km/h)
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Power
Outpu
t of
Solar
PV
Panel
(W)
Efficienc
y of
Solar PV
Panel
(%)
34.9 28 11 997 189.01 9.67
34.9 28 11 997 189.72 9.71
34.9 28 11 997 189.43 9.69

Table 4: Percentage Accession in power generation due to
Wind Velocity and Altitude
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 11:00
Power generate at
University Ground in
Watts (P1)
Power generate at
University Roof
Watts (P2)
Percentage
Accession in power
generation (%)
133.86 151.13 12.90
134.33 148.91 10.85
138.79 150.10 8.14
Date: July 21, 2017. Time: 13:00
Power generate at
University Ground in
Watts (P1)
Power generate at
University Roof
Watts (P2)
Percentage
Accession in power
generation (%)
178.76 189.01 5.73
171.91 189.72 10.36
175.49 189.43 7.94
3.3. Effect of Type of Ground Surface on
The tests were conducted by keeping three 300W solar
photovoltaic module in three different type of ground
surfaces i.e. Barren Land, Grass Land and in water tray.
The performance of modules was evaluated and various
parameters were noted. It was found that module in water
tray is having highest efficiency of 13.53% and module in
barren land is having lowest efficiency of 9.50%. This is
because of the effect of vegetation on solar photovoltaic
module. From the table 5, it has been noted that the
modules in grass land and water tray are having lower
surface temperature than that of module in barren land.
The water and grass reduces the surrounding temperature
which reduces the surface temperature of solar module
hence increases the efficiency of solar module.
Table 5: Effect of Type of Ground Surface on Performance
of Solar Photovoltaic Module
Date: July 25, 2017. Time: 11:00
Groun
d Type
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Ambient
Temperat
ure (oC)
Power
in
Watts
Efficien
cy
in %
Module
Surface
Tempera
ture (oC)
Groun
d
(Barre
n)
722 35.70 152.12 10.75 43.50
Groun
d
(Grass
)
722 35.70 173.43 12.26 40.90
Water
Tray
722 35.70 191.55 13.53 37.30
Date: July 25, 2017. Time: 12:00
Groun
d Type
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Ambient
Temperat
ure (oC)
Power
in
Watts
Efficien
cy
in %
Module
Surface
Tempera
ture (oC)
Groun
d
(Barre
n)
912 36.50 175.39 9.81 45.80
Groun
d
(Grass
)
912 36.50 195.10 10.92 42.70
Water
Tray
912 36.50 210.23 11.77 39.60
Date: July 25, 2017. Time: 13:00
Groun
d Type
Solar
Radiatio
n
(W/m2)
Ambient
Temperat
ure (oC)
Power
in
Watts
Efficien
cy
in %
Module
Surface
Tempera
ture (oC)
Groun
d
(Barre
n)
1015 37.30 189.01 9.50 48.80
Groun
d
(Grass
)
1015 37.30 208.55 10.48 46.40
Water
Tray
1015 37.30 222.89 11.21 42.10
3.4. Effect of Dust on the Performance of Solar
Photovoltaic Module
The tests were conducted using two panels each of 300W
capacity. One was cleaned everyday and one was kept as it
is in the open environment. The performance of both the
solar panels were evaluated after 15th and 30th day and
various parameters were noted. From table 6 it can be
seen that, there is drop in power output of dirty solar
panel compared to cleaned solar panel. The dust particles
obstruct sunlight entering in solar cell and act as shadow.
The dust on solar panel has considerable effect on
performance of solar cell.
Table 6: Effect of Dust on the Performance of Solar
Photovoltaic Module
Date: August 12, 2017. (15th Day)
Ti
me
Global
Radiati
on
(W/m2
)
Ambien
t
Temper
ature
(oC)
Powe
r
of
dirty
PV
(P1)
in
Watt
s
Effici
ency
of
dirty
PV
(%)
Powe
r
of
dirty
PV
(P1)
in
Watt
s
Effici
ency
of
dirty
PV
(%)
(P2
-
P1)
P2
(%
)
9:0
0
335 31.5 72.78 11.09 75.18
11.4
5
3.1
9
11:
00
777 32.3
150.5
8
9.89
158.1
2
10.3
8
4.7
7
13:
00
1010 34.7
178.8
7
9.04
191.1
2
9.66
6.4
1
15:
00
851 35.4
159.2
2
9.55
171.4
0
10.2
8
7.1
1

Date: August 29, 2017. (30th Day)
Ti
me
Global
Radiati
on
(W/m2
)
Ambien
t
Temper
ature
(oC)
Powe
r
of
dirty
PV
(P1)
in
Watt
s
Effici
ency
of
dirty
PV
(%)
Powe
r
of
dirty
PV
(P1)
in
Watt
s
Effici
ency
of
dirty
PV
(%)
(P2
-
P1)
P2
(%
)
9:0
0
369 32.3 73.18 10.12 79.98
11.0
6
8.5
1
11:
00
749 34.9
141.3
1
9.63
155.4
9
10.6
0
9.1
2
13:
00
997 35.8
169.9
8
8.70
192.3
0
9.48
11.
61
15:
00
875 36.2
149.4
6
8.71
173.5
6
10.1
2
13.
89
4. CONCLUSION
This study was carried out in Poornima University, Jaipur
to determine the effect of various environmental factors on
performance of 300W solar photovoltaic module. The
effect of various environmental factors on performance of
solar module were investigated and it has been concluded
that:
1. Altitude and wind velocity plays an important role in the
performance of solar photovoltaic module. With increase
in wind velocity the efficiency of solar module increases.
Similarly, with increase in altitude the performance of
solar module improves and the power output increases.
Through this we can conclude that rooftop solar plants are
having better performance.
2. Vegetation and type of land also impact the performance
of solar photovoltaic. The study was conducted on three
types of land and it has been found the solar module in
water tray is having highest efficiency and module in
barren land is having lowest efficiency. Through this we
can conclude that solar power plant on water bodies will
have better performance. We should also plant grass on
ground where large size solar plants are installed. This
improves the efficiency of overall plant.
3. Effect of dust also plays an important role in
performance of solar photovoltaic module. The dust
obstructs the sunlight by acting as shadow and reduces
power output by 13.89%. Through this study it is clear
that we should prepare clearing plan of solar modules in
solar power plants. We should clean the solar modules in
every ten days to maintain the performance of plan.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am thankful to Dr. K.K.S. Bhatia, President, Dr. Manoj
Gupta, Pro-President and Dr. B.K. Sharma, Dean, Poornima
University, Jaipur for their cooperation and support to
carry out this project. I am also tankful to all my colleagues
in the Department of Mechanical Engineering for
rendering necessary assistance and help during testing
and investigations of this project.
REFERENCES
[1] Sahin, A.D., I. Dincer and M .A. Rosen, 2007.
Thermodynamic analysis of solar photovoltaic cell
systems. Solar Energy M aterials & Solar Cells, 91:
153-159.
[2] Joshi, A.S., I. Dincer and B.V. Reddy, 2009.
Thermodynamic assessment of photovoltaic
systems. Solar Energy, 83(8): 1139-1149.
[3] Pratish Rawat, “EXERGY PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF
300 W SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE”,
International Journal of Engineering Sciences &
Research Technology, 2017 6 (3): 381-390.
[4] Pratish Rawat and Ashwani Kapoor, “Life Cycle
Assessment of 100 kWp Grid Connected Rooftop Solar
Photovoltaic (SPV) System Installed at Poornima
University, Jaipur”, International Journal of Thermal
Energy and Applications, 2016, 2 (2), 19-26.
[5] Kande SM, Wagh MM, Ghane SG, Shinde NN, Patil PS
(2016) Experimental Analysis of Effect of Vegetation
under PV Solar Panel on Performance of
Polycrystalline Solar Panel. J Fundam Renewable
Energy Appl 6: 215. doi:10.4172/20904541.1000215
[6] Castaner, L.,Silvestre, S.: Modeling Photovoltaic
Systems Using PSpice. John Wiley and sons, West
Sussex (2002).
[7] M. Catelani, L. Ciani, L. Cristaldi, M. Faifer, M. Lazzaroni,
M. Rossi, “Characterization of Photovoltaic panels: the
effect of dust” © 2012 IEEE.
[8] Shaharin A. Sulaiman, Haizatul, H. Hussain, Nik Siti H.
Nik Leh, and Mohd S. I. Razati, “Effect of dust on the
performance of PV panels” World academy of science,
engineering and technology 58 2011 PP 589.
[9] Islam M D, Alili A A, Kubo I and Ohadi M 2010
Measurement of solar energy (direct beam radiation)
in Abu Dhabi, UAE J. Renewable Energy 35 51.

[10] Pratish Rawat, Pardeep Kumar, “Performance
evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic Thermal (PV/T)
System, Vol. 4, No. 8, 2015, 1466-1471.
[11] G.N. Tiwari, Solar energy: fundamentals, design,
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BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Pratish Rawat is currently working
as HOD and Assistant Professor in
Department of Mechanical Engineering
in Poornima University, Jaipur. He
obtained his B.E. in Mechanical
Engineering from R.G.P.V. Bhopal and
MTech in Renewable Energy from
Maulana Azad National Institute of
Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. He has also attended AICTE-
QIP on Solar Energy Applications at IIT Delhi. His major
research areas include: Energy Management and Audit,
Climate Change, Hybrid System, Solar Thermal & PV
Systems, Wind Energy and Energy Conservation. He has
published number of research papers in national and
international journals. He also published book on Solar
PV/T with LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.

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