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The IV Curve

Duration
  • 05:00
Creator

Interplay Learning

Compatible devices
Created By IconCreated by Interplay Learning
Topics Icon05:00
Compatible Devices IconCompatible DevicesOculus

Topic Description

The course includes the following content:

  • Understand how the current-voltage (IV) curve represents the possible current and voltage values of a PV device: cell, module, or full array.
  • Understand how using a IV curve helps one make decisions about extracting the maximum power from a PV device.
  • Know why a solar device is a “passive” device and why an inverter is uniquely suited to act as its load to achieve maximum power output.
  • Learn how to calculate and use the IV curve to quantify the quality of a solar module using “fill factor.”
  • Know why a solar module or array may have quality issues when the fill factor is too low.
  • Know how the IV curve is affected by changes of the environment and is used for system sizing and design because of: 1) irradiance; 2) temperature of the module; 3) spectral distribution of the light.
  • Explore how “cloud effect” changes the peak irradiance of a solar module.
  • Discover the standard cell temperature used to test and rate solar modules.
  • Learn the relationship between irradiance and ambient temperature and why it must be considered when doing inverter strength sizing.
  • Learn how the IV curve and module output are affected by the nature of the light spectrum.
  • Learn how (AM) air mass affects the power output of a solar module and the industry standard used to test and rate solar modules.
  • Compare the main three testing standards used to test and rate solar modules: STC, PTC, NOCT
  • Learn the newest test standard that is emerging today: NMOT.
  • Discover how IV curves are combined to make arrays in either series or parallel circuits and how this affects current and voltage outputs.
  • Learn how IV curves and Pmax throughout the day determine kWh produced and energy savings for the consumer and how batteries or the grid can compensate for lower energy outputs.
  • Discover why power companies favor west facing arrays.
  • Predict sun’s effect during the summer vs. the winter in East-West orientation.
  • Compare the annual differences between fixed vs single axis vs dual axis arrays and which ones are most cost effective.
  • Understand how some key resources, though not cheap, put you ahead of the competition in testing a solar installation.
  • Solmetric PVA 1500 Volt IV Tester
  • HT I-V500w IV Curve Tester

The topic "The IV Curve" is available as part of this package. Subscribe this package to get access to this topic.

Electrical Technician Training
  • 31 Topics
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About Author
Interplay Learning

Since 2016, Austin-based Interplay Learning has been building better training, better careers and better lives for our customers and their employees. Our award-winning online and VR training for the essential skilled trades is scalable and more effective than traditional training methods. By leveraging our immersive learning platform, SkillMill, our customers are able to train and practice hands-on learning from any device or in virtual reality. The result is a highly trained employee who is job-ready in weeks, not years.

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