This project involves empirically modeling solar photovoltaic systems to more accurately predict solar output without specific system constraints. The student will build a water-tight setup to control and record the voltage and current from a solar panel outdoors. Using a Raspberry Pi to record these values over different experiments, the student aims to develop voltage-current curves that model changing system characteristics and provide useful data for future research.

1. “Empirical Modeling of Solar Systems”
Aaron Lucia
Mentors: Professor David Irwin and Akansha Singh
This project involves the empirical modeling of solar photovoltaic systems. To more accurately
predict solar output given an unknown system, models should be created that are able to
predict solar output without given specific constraints. Creating these models involves building
a system-level setup to control power output from the solar panel and record the voltage and
current. A water-tight setup will be assembled that can be deployed outside to record the solar
output. This setup uses a computer-controlled load to vary the voltage, and thus the current as
well. Using a raspberry pi to record these values and plot the results, different experiments can
be run so that different systems can be analyzed. We should end up with a Voltage-Current
curve that will move in and out, based on different characteristics that change in the system.
This data will then be useful for future research.