Study of the solar radiation in Ecuador and its effects on the behavior of photovoltaic panels

Javier García Molleja
Tutor: Bernat Codina (Universitat de Barcelona)
Co-Tutor: Graciela Salum (Yachay Tech)
MSc in Renewable Energy and Energetic Sustainability

 Ecuador bets for a change of its energy matrix,
relying on renewable energy.
 Hydraulic energy will be the main power
source.
 In isolated regions it will be necessary a
combination between different renewable
sources.
 Solar energy is an interesting topic because of
the geographical location of the country.

 The complex Ecuadorian orography (Andean
Sierra) promotes the use of solar radiation.
 However, at these average altitudes in the
Sierra (2000 masl) UV radiation is important.
 Let’s focus on UVB component, because of this
radiation increases 19% each 1000 m of climb.
 UVB radiation is very important: is an
energetic radiation with biological effects and
provokes material degradation.

 A SYSM-20S solar panel
(single crystalline Si) was
used. The characteristic
parameters (Isc and Voc)
were determined.
 With thermocouple, panel
(TP) and room (Ta)
temperatures were
measured.
 The I-V curve was
obtained using a variable
load.
FF = 0.747
hSTC = 11.5%
RS = 3.78 W
RP = 2657.09 W

 The region of study was Ibarra (Ecuador)
located at 0.337024ºN; 78.145163ºW, 2220 masl,
UTC-5.
 Measurements were performed under clear sky
condition on 7/16/2017.
 Solar noon was at 12:18 pm.
 A characterization of solar panel parameters
allows to determine the solar radiation received
during this day.
 The effects of UVB radiation (290 - 320 nm)
were considered, too.

 Isc grows with the local time and reaches a
maximum at solar noon. After this, current
decreases.
 On the other hand, Voc is almost the same when
TP is high.

 It is clear that Isc has the same behavior than
GP.
 If STC parameters are known, a relationship
between them is possible.

 Estimated values are similar to the ones of
other experimental studies.
 Using satellite databases allow to know the
weather condition during measurements.
 SMARTS2 model of solar radiation was used
with these weather parameters as inputs in
order to know the spectral irradiances.
 Fixing values similar to the ones obtained
during the noon is a good technique to obtain
SMARTS2 irradiance predictions for each
measurement.

AOD550 = 0.131
O3 = 257.6 DU
CO2 = 405.75 ppm
Ta = 24.2 ºC
RH = 54.4%
PWC = 2.61 cm
Albedo = 0.17

 The area of the Gaussian curve gives the
insolation during the day: 8.975 kWh/m2.

 During the day the weight of each spectral
range on the total irradiance changes.
 UV radiation behaves similar to the total
irradiance and VIS and IR ranges behave in a
opposite manner.

 Lower efficiencies are detected at higher GP
and TP values.

 With SMARTS2 is possible to identify the
atmospheric state during measurements.
 With this model several characteristics can be
analyzed: atmospheric turbidity, the O3
contribution, Rayleigh scattering, aerosols and
H2O vapor.

 According to the
equation of the
efficiency, at higher
TP a decrease of h
must be detected.
This is caused by
the k parameter.
 In our experiment
this is confirmed.

 Qualitatively, both irradiances have the same
behavior.
 UVB insolation was 0.031 kWh/m2.

 There is a relationship between both
irradiances.
 This relationship is dependent on time, so it
behaves like a function.
 A quadratic relationship is proposed in the
present work.

 A clear
relationship
between efficiency
and UVB
irradiance was not
detected.
 Higher GP, lesser
h.
 This is caused by
the arrival of
higher amounts of
IR photons, with
energy below the
band gap.

 Ibarra is located at an altitude where UVB
photons can arrive to the surface.
 These photons have very high energy, so in the
semiconductor thermalization processes can be
developed.
 This process could be related to a TP increase.
 High temperatures developed by high
irradiances cause, in a long period of time,
early panel degradation.

TNOCT = 49 ºC
b = 0.036 ºCm2/W

 We studied the behavior of a SYSM-20S solar
panel at Ibarra (Ecuador) and the influence of
the solar radiation on this panel.
 Measurements were carried on under clear sky
conditions on 7/16/2017.
 Several I-V and P-V curves were performed.

 With a simple equation is possible to find a
relationship between Isc and GP.
 Using these values and the SMARTS2 model
the total global and the UVB insolations were
determined: 8.975 kWh/m2 and 0.031 kWh/m2,
respectively.
 On the other hand, it was verified that lower h
values are reached when GP and TP values
increase.

 SMARTS2 determined that Rayleigh scattering and
aerosols absorb the shortwave radiation and that
the water vapor absorbs the longwave radiation.
 A linear relationship between h and TP was
proved.
 GP and GUVB are related with a quadratic function
dependent on time.
 h decreases when GP (and GUVB) reach high values.
 GUVB has an important influence on TP via
thermalization effects.

 To the jury of this conference:
 Camila Barreneche (Universitat de Barcelona)
 Alejandro Calderón (Universitat de Barcelona)
 To my tutors, Bernat and Graciela
 To my wife, parents, friends and students
 To UNIBA3001 group, and Saravana, Bruna
and Eduardo
 To our beloved and mistreated planet Earth

Study of the solar radiation in Ecuador and its effects on the behavior of photovoltaic panels

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