Validation of a Portable Open-Source Diy I-V Curve Tracer

Abstract

Accurate solar photovoltaic (PV) performance evaluation must consider dynamic environmental factors like solar irradiance and ambient temperature. The development of PV current-voltage (I-V) curve tracers has enabled real-time characterization of PV modules in real-world conditions. These devices are often complex and expensive limiting their use just as the need for them is increasing rapidly because of accelerated PV deployment (and thus decommissioning and possible reuse of PV modules in older systems expands). This study improves accessible PV performance analysis by empirically assessing a low-cost, do-it-yourself open-source portable I-V curve tracer (PIVCT) and comparing its performance to that of proprietary high-end I-V curve tracer. 28 PV modules representing three different types of PV technologies (12 bi-facial, 7 monofacial and 9 semitransparent modules) were tested under three distinct weather conditions. The open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc) and maximum power point (MPP) were characterized at different sweep speeds were measured and compared to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the PIVCT. The results showed that across varied weather conditions and multiple module types, the PIVCT demonstrates high accuracy in measuring key parameters.

Keywords: Solar, photovoltaic, I-V curve tracer, Diagnostics, PV module performance