Chapter 9

1. With a BP 5170 photovoltaic module, how many modules in what arrangement

would be required to provide 144 volts and 2 kW at rated conditions?

The characteristics are available on the BP web

site.

Number of modules required for 2 kW: module := 1

2 kW
N := N = 11.765 module N := 12 nearest integer number
W
170
module

Number of modules in series:

Number of parallel legs:
144 V N
M := M = 4 module PL := PL = 3
V M
36
module
W
Output := 12 module 170 Output = 2.04 kW
module

Array of 12 modules, 3 parallel legs of 4 modules in series. At 1000 W/m 2

illumination, the arrangement would yield 2.04 kW at 144 V.
2. A company is marketing a photovoltaic cell that it claims has an output of 320
W/m2 when tested at the standard 1000 W/m2 irradiation condition. Do you believe
this claim? Explain.
320
:= = 32 %
1000
With an actual efficiency of 32 percent, the claim in not true of the cell is a single junction cell;
Table 9.2 indicates a maximum actual efficiency of 19 percent. Figure 9.4 shows this efficiency is
possible for some multijunction concentrating cells.
3. With a GEPV-030-M photovoltaic module (characteristics in the table), how many
modules in what arrangement would be required to provide 100 volts and 900 W at
the rated conditions?
Typical Performance Characteristics
GEPV-050-M GEPV-030-M
Peak Power (Wp) Watts 50 30
Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp) Volts 17.3 16.8
Maximum Power Current (Imp) Amps 2.9 1.8
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) Volts 22.0 21.4
Short Circuit Current (Isc) Amps 3.3 2.0

Standard test conditions: Irradiance = 1,000 w/m cell temperature = 77 F / 25 C;

solar spectral irradiance per ASTM E892; rated power tolerance 10 percent.
Number of modules required for 900 W: module := 1

900 W
N := N = 30 module
W
30
module

Number of modules in series:

100 V
M := M = 5.952 module M := 6 module nearest integer
V
16.8
module
Number of parallel legs:
N V
PL := PL = 5 VT := 6 module 16.8 VT = 100.8 V
M module

W
Output := 30 module 30 Output = 900 W
module

Array of 30 modules, 5 parallel legs of 6 modules in series. At 1000 W/m 2

illumination, the arrangement would yield 900 W at 100.8 V.
4. How much energy could a 24-volt, 200 amp-hour battery store?
Energy := 24 V 200 A hr Energy = 4.8 kW hr