A Simple Laboratory Exercise Introducing Photovoltaics

A simple laboratory exercise teaches students important behavior of four different photovoltaic technologies and inspires debate on pertinent issues for designing solar panel arrays. Students perform experiments on monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin film flexible, and folding flexible photovoltaic panels. They find practical influence of azimuth on performance, identifying a substantial tolerance in angle from normal. They use their laboratory skills and management instruction to gain quick but remarkably valid estimates of solar panel performance: relative energy efficiency and relative cost of each of the four technologies. Assessed results showed improved performance on exam questions relating to this laboratory work, preference for designing with solar cells as an option on their design projects, and greater enthusiasm for studying renewable energy. The students even received some unexpected recognition from their non-engineering peers. The paper presents sample costs of the equipment and typical results from four simple but insightful experiments that the students performed within a single hourlong class period using commonly available instruments in their laboratories.