Measurement of Short Circuit Current
and No-Load Voltage
Purpose
To use a digital Multimeter
to measure accurately the effect of several light sources on the solar panel
using two new terms , often used in photo voltaics: short circuit current and no-load voltage.
Materials
1. digital multimeter
2. solar panel
3. the car (with the terminal strips on which the
circuit is connected together)
4. calculator
5. computer ( microsoft word, WebQuest - "Count Zeppelin and Beyond")
Procedure
1. Assemble the circuit
with which you make the measurements. (diagrams)
2. Study the drawing#1 of the Multimeter
showing which connectors to use (diagrams)
3. Adjust everything before putting the measurement
probes in the connectors of the car chassis
4. Read the measured value shown - this value
is current
5. This measurement is
called "short circuit current" and equals 0.00
on the meter (explain)
6. Now measure the "short
circuit current" of the panel for the different light sources/record results
7. Predict how the short circuit current will
vary (place answer in WP document
8. Measure the "short circuit current" as a result
of distance of solar panel from table lamp/record
results
9. Measure the effect of partial shade on your
reading
10. Measure the "no-load
voltage" of the solar panel - The voltage between two terminals (diagrams)
11. Measure the "no-load voltage" as
it is illuminated by the different sources/ record
results
12. Measure the "no-load
voltage" as a function of distance/ record
results
13. Create two graphs: one for distance (cm)/(mA)
and one for distance (cm) (V) use WP document
14. Write a WP document with all observations including
graphs and readings
Conclusion
How did distance effect "no-load voltage"compared to "short circuit current"?
How did light source effect "no-load
voltage" compared to "short circuit current"?
Never short circuit any current
source other than your solar panel