Measuring intensity and solar irradiance of a solar panel using arduino mega

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi everyone i am a mechanical engineering student, i have this little project that i need help , i dont know what should i buy to realise it , teacher asked me to measure the intensity and the solar irradiance of a solar panel .
So please tell me what should i get and how i make the circuit work
I know i need solar cell and resistors , cables ,breadboard, led , i just dont know the exact capacity of each one .
My topic is pyranometer and pyrheliometer
I need to make a sensor
Please help me

2

Start here

3

Are you really sure of this? You can measure the irradiance of a point and then compute the total irradiance based on the area of the panel. You do not need a solar panel, just the dimensions.
Consider how you will calibrate what ever you develop.

4

That is a bit confusing. You want to measure the flux of total energy radiated by a solar cell. A solar cell absorbs radiation produced by Sol.

What is the area of interest of measuring a thing from a solar cell? Such as one way to measure solar cell current is the solar cells supplied charging current + solar cell current consumed by the solar cell controller.

Describe the solar cell that is to be used.

5

Those valuse are proportional to the short circuit current of the panel (or of any photodiode).

An approximation for Arduino is to read the voltage across a low value resistor, as described here: Measuring Sunlight at Earth’s Surface: Build Your Own Pyranometer

6

I want to make a sensor for my pv cell using arduino

7

So how do i make a circuit using arduino to read my pv cell voltage

8

Follow the link in post #5. You could also do an internet search, using for example terms like "arduino measure solar irradiance".

10

I ran out of time , i did so many researches , i found so many methods and circuits , i want an easy and efficient one , if u could pls help

11

What are you using for measuring those parameters?

12

Great! Just pick the simplest and easiest one.

13

Can be made with a short-circuited photo diode (BPW34), short-circuited with an opamp.
The short-circuit removes voltage, but leaves current. Which is a linear measure of solar irradiation.
Leo..

14

Resistors , pv cell ,arduino mega,led
But i need to know the capacity of the components if u could help me

15

Link to the schematic you decided on, please.

16

Could u give me more details pls

17

No! You're a student! You are supposed to do this on your own, or at least make an attempt and then ask for help with specific sticking points. Quite honestly, if you are struggling then you should get back to your tutor and discuss it with him/her.

We aren't here to help you pass your degree.

18

That's told him!
:sob:

19

A PV cell, or a PV panel.
And what size/specs.

You could (almost) short-circuit a small PV panel from a cheap solar garden light with a burden resistor, and measure remaining voltage with 1.1volt Aref enabled on the Mega. Resistor value should be low enough so A/D values reach, but don't go over ~1000 in full noon sun. See what A/D value you get with this sketch.
Leo..

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  analogReference(INTERNAL1V1); // Mega only
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println(analogRead(A0));
  delay(1000); // for testing
}