Question

A PV module has an output rating of 32 volts and 300mA. Do the following:
a) Design a PV array consisting of the PV module mentioned above to supply 250V and 2A to an inverter connected to some load.
b) Find the power produced by each PV module and PV array.
c) If each PV cell in the above mentioned module produces a power of 10mW, find the
number of cells present in the PV module.

Answer 1

a) We can connect the PV modules in series or in parallel, therefore, to achieve V, we must connect 8 such modules in series:

$$V=8\cdot32=256\text{ V}.$$

This is not too much because this result lies within allowable voltage range of $\pm10\%$ of the nominal voltage. Higher is better than lower.

The current that such an arrangement can produce is

$$I=8\cdot0.3=2.4\text{ A}.$$

This is the maximum current. A PV module generates voltage. Depending on the resistance of the load, the current vary between 0 and 2.4 A.

b) When each module conducts 2 A, the power in each module is

$$P_m=IV=2\cdot32=64\text{ W}.$$

The power of all 8 modules is

$$P=8P_c=512\text{ W}.$$

c) The number of cells in a single module:

$$n=\frac{P_m}{P_c}=\frac{64}{0.01}=6400.$$