PV-standalone monitoring system performance using LabVIEW

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the performance evaluation, monitoring and analysis of a stand-alone Photovoltaic (PV) system. This experimental investigation achieves its objectives using Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) interface capabilities. The installed PV generator system operates in extreme and severe weather conditions. The local area is characterized by a high level of irradiation, high humidity variations, very high ambient temperature and frequent dust storms. Two PV panels of 150 W rating each are used. Each panel feeds a variable resistive load separately and simultaneously. The constructed LabVIEW engine displays environmental parameters and the associated electrical variables (voltage, current and power) on dedicated graph windows continuously in a real time manner. The current versus voltage (I-V) and power versus voltage (P-V) characteristics are taken for any chosen panel, displayed and stored accurately. LabVIEW allows appending any characteristics for the sake of comparison, investigation and research purposes. LabVIEW has shown high performance in communicating with several devices simultaneously and high capability of displaying several variables behavior at a time. The designed virtual instrument (VI) filters are programmed to execute different tasks on a priority basis. The developed system reveals and stores the pronounced impact of dust, the variation of temperature and the irradiation changes on the PV panel power output behavior. The monitoring results are very satisfactory. The online data display in multi-scale window frame is very informative. The online efficiency evaluation is very useful for system operation and analysis. The developed system was found to be very supportive for research and educational purposes.

Designing and implementation of energy‐efficient wireless photovoltaic monitoring system

“…If a reasonable difference between the simulated and real‐time I‐V and P‐V curves are observed, the software activates an alarm informing the user to replace the specified PV module before it fails. The PV monitoring is also important for the assessment of PV in extreme climates 11 . Monitoring of PV parameters is also useful to calculate returns on investments and implementation of PV systems 12–14 .…”

“…Novel parameter monitoring systems based on wireless sensors have been reported in the recent literature 15–18 . The proposed systems in other works 8–14,19 are complex, expensive, and are limited in practical applications. The high cost of a PVMS is due to the use of expensive and complicated tools.…”

Optimization of a Grid Connected Photovoltaic System using Fuzzy Logic Control

“…Inefficiency of maximum power point tracking algorithm. Thus, the output changes sharply as the weather conditions changes even in the slightest way [20]. Furthermore, the power delivered by the PV system is also affected by the level of sunlight intensity, temperature of the cells and the current drawn from the cells [21].…”

Electrical and Meteorological Data Acquisition System of a Commercial and Domestic Microgrid for Monitoring PV Parameters

“…Therefore, the only available choice would be experimental studies. A prototype DAS for an off-grid PV power plant was proposed by [10], the system consists of a personal computer, simulator for PV modules and battery storage. The prototype was used to collect data to find out the execution of the power plant.…”