Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to solar energy system. In particularity, the
invention relates to ergonomically designed solar photovoltaic training kit for running
experiments to understand the characteristic of solar photovoltaic system. In more particularly,
the invention relates to a Solar PV Training Kit in the form of a working laboratory model for indepth
understanding of photovoltaic plant and hands on experience.
Background
[0002] Solar energy is one kind of regenerative energy. People show more and more interest in
solar energy technology by which solar energy is converted into electric energy, since it has the
advantages of energy conservation and reduction of environmental pollution. This technology
also contributes to mitigate power supply demand to a certain extent. Solar electrical energy
generation technology is a technology of converting the solar energy into electric energy by
utilization of solar panels, based on principle of the photovoltaic effect. The basic element in the
solar photovoltaic assembly is solar cell. The solar panel usually includes a plurality of solar
cells cormected with each other.
[0003] Nowadays, a solar photovoltaic apparatus includes several photovoltaic modules arranged
in an array on a roof, and the panels of the photovoltaic modules face towards the sky for
receiving sunlight and transferring them into electricity power. Sometimes, dust and dirt are
brought with rains or winds to cover on the panels of the photovoltaic modules, thus, capability
of power generation drops because of less area of the panels thereof for receiving sunlight.
Furthermore, because the photovoltaic modules are installed on a high position such as a roof or
a tower, it is difficult to give training to the students on the working of solar photovoltaic
apparatus.
[0004] Much of current solar photovoltaic concentrator technology involves use of large,
cumbersome, heavy, and, because of their size and bulk, relatively expensive solar panels. There
is a need of laboratory model of solar Photovoltaic apparatus which could act as a training kit for
students and industry.
2
Summary
[0005] The present invention discloses an Insight Solar PV Training kit for providing in-depth
understanding of solar photovoltaic plant in a laboratory. Further, the Solar PV Training Kit is in
the form of a working laboratory model for in-depth understanding of photovoltaic plant and
hands on experience having a compact solar photovoltaic module and a main controller to run
the experiments.
[0006] In general, in one aspect, the invention, the main controller is ergonomically designed for
better user interactivity while connecting the terminals and simultaneously taking the
corresponding readings from the meters as well as load indicator is kept at bottom to avoid glare
in the eye while conducting the experiments. Further, body of the main controller has a
protective shield. Furthermore, the meters on the main controllers are concealed meters.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, the compact solar photovoltaic module is
foldable and can be reassembled at use; also the module contains a support stand having gears
for tilting the PV panel and two regulated lamps for variable radiation. Further, the invention
comprises a luxmeter for measuring the radiation level on the compact solar photovoltaic module
surface. Additionally, the module has a protractor for measuring the tilt of the PV panel.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the invention is used for characteristics of
PV module at different condition and characteristic of PV module with power flow analysis.
Further, the experiments include effect of shading, effect of tilt angle and demonstration of
bypass and blocking diode. Additionally, the invention comprises a plurality of shading blades
for shading the solar cell of the PV panel.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become
better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view of compact solar photovoltaic module of Insight Solar PV Training Kit,
in accordance with an aspect of the present technique;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of main controller of Insight Solar PV Training Kit, in accordance with
an aspect of the present technique; and
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view of compact solar photovoltaic module of Insight Solar PV Training Kit
when a part of photovoltaic panel is shaded, in accordance with an aspect of the present
technique.
Detailed Description
[0013] The following description is full and informative description of the best method presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention which is known to the inventors at the time
of filing the patent application. Of course, many modifications and adaptations will be apparent
to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the following description in view of the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims. While the system and method described
herein are provided with a certain degree of specificity, the present technique may be
implemented with either greater or lesser specificity, depending on the needs of the user.
Further, some of the features of the present technique may be used to advantage without the
corresponding use of other features described in the following paragraphs. As such, the present
description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present technique
and not in limitation thereof, since the present technique is defined solely by the claims.
[0014] The present invention generally relates to solar energy system. In particularity, the
invention relates to ergonomically designed solar photovoltaic training kit for running
experiments to understand the characteristic of solar photovoltaic system. In more particularly,
the invention relates to a Solar PV Training Kit in the form of a working laboratory model for indepth
understanding of photovoltaic plant and hands on experience.
4
[0015] Referring to fig. 1 is a view of compact solar photovoltaic module (100) of Insight Solar
PV Training Kit comprising a support stand (110), a photovoltaic panel (120), a portable light
source (130), an adjustable gear (140), and a protractor (150). The compact solar photovoltaic
module (100) is the power source unit for conducting the experiments.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention the support stand (110) is uniquely designed for easy
to move and to reassemble the PV module (100). Further, the support stand (110) is collapsible
for easy to use.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention the photovoltaic panel (120) is mountable on the
support stand (110). The PV panel (120) is an adjustable compact two faced photovoltaic panel,
which can be folded and reassembled at use.
[0018] In still another embodiment of the invention the portable light source (130) further
comprising a plurality of regulated lamps for variable radiation level on the photovoltaic panel
(120). Further the regulated lamps are regulated for varying level of radiation for conducting the
experiment to demonstrate characteristics of PV module with varying radiation and temperature
level.
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the invention the adjustable gear (140) is mounted on the
support stand (110) for micro-tilting the PV panel for accurate experiments. Further, the
protractor (150) is mounted for the accurate tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel (120) for accurate
readings.
[0020] Referring to fig. 2 is a view of main controller (200) of Insight Solar PV Training Kit
illustrating the components of the main controller (200). The main controller comprises of a
temperature meter (210), an ammeter (212), a voltmeter (214), a solar charge controller (216), an
inverter input voltage meter (218), an inverter input current meter (220), a battery input current
meter (222), a battery input voltage meter (224), a AC current meter (226), a AC voltage meter
(228), a DC load current meter (230), a DC load voltage meter (232), a plurality of diode (234), a
plurality of Inverter input/output port (236), a plurality of battery port (238), a plurality of
module output port (240), a potentiometer (244), an LED (246), a plurality of DC load port
(248), an AC load port (250), an DC load indicator (252), an AC load indicator.
[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, temperature meter (210) is mounted on the main
controller in concealed manner for measuring the temperature of the photovoltaic panel (120) by
attaching the port of the temperature meter (210) with port at the back of the photovoltaic panel
5
using a cable. Further, the reading of temperature appears on the screen of the temperature meter
(210).
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, the ammeter (212) is mounted on the main
controller (200) in concealed manner for measuring the module current. Further, the voltmeter
(214) is mounted on the main controller (200) for measuring the voltage of the module.
[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, the solar charge controller (216) is mounted on
the main controller in concealed manner. Further, the solar charge controller comprises of DC
input port, DC load port and battery/Inverter port for charging the battery.
[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the inverter input voltage meter (218) is
mounted on the main controller in concealed manner for measuring the inverter input voltage.
Further, the inverter input current meter (220) is mounted on the main controller in concealed
manner to measure inverter input current. Furthermore, the battery input current meter (222) is
mounted on the main controller in concealed manner to measure the battery input current.
Moreover, the battery input voltage meter (224) is mounted on the main controller in concealed
manner to measure the battery input voltage.
[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, the AC current meter (226) is mounted on the
main controller in concealed manner to measure the AC current. Further, the AC voltage meter
(228) is mounted on the main controller in concealed manner to measure the AC voltage.
Furthermore, the DC load current meter (230) is mounted on the main controller in concealed
manner to measure the DC load current. Moreover, the DC load voltage meter (232) is mounted
on the main controller in concealed manner to measure the DC load voltage.
[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of diode (234) is mounted on the
main controller in concealed manner to vary the resistance of the circuit. Further, the plurality of
Inverter input/output port (236) is mounted on the main controller in concealed manner to
connect the module with inverter. Further, the plurality of battery port (238) is mounted on the
main controller in concealed manner to connect the circuit with battery.
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention the plurality of module output port (240) is
mounted on the main controller in concealed manner to connect the module output to the circuit.
Module output portl (240) and module output port2 (242) are connected according to the need of
experiment for series and parallel connections.
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[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the potentiometer (244) is mounted on the main
controller in concealed manner to measure to measure the resistance of the circuit. Further, the
LED (246) port is mounted on the main controller. Furthermore, the plurality of DC load port
(248) is mounted on the main controller to coimect the circuit with the DC load. Furthermore, the
AC load port (250) is mounted on the main controller to connect the AC load in circuit.
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, the DC load indicator (252) is moimted on the
main controller in concealed manner to indicate the DC load. Further, the AC load indicator
(254) is mounted on the main controller in concealed manner to indicate the AC load.
[0030] In still another embodiment of the invention, the main controller (200) is designed
keeping in the view the user interactivity while cormecting the terminals and simultaneously
taking the corresponding readings. Further, the DC load indicator (252) and the AC load
indicator (254) are kept at bottom to avoid the glare in the eye while conducting the experiments.
[0031] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the main controller (200), has protective
shield for protection from any shock and circuit failure. Further, a plurality of input ports are
mounted on the back side of the main controller for AC input and Module input. Moreover, the
invention further comprising of a plurality of cables for cormecting the circuits and cormecting
the main controller (200) to the Photovoltaic module (100).
[0032] Referring to fig. 3 is a view of compact solar photovoltaic module of Insight Solar PV
Training Kit when a part of photovoltaic panel is shaded, illustrating comprising a support stand
(110), a photovoltaic panel (120), a portable light source (130), an adjustable gear (140), and a
protractor (150) and a plurality of shading blades (160).
[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of shading blades (160) are used for
shading the parts of the photovoltaic panel to conduct experiments of effect of shading on the
characteristics of the module.
[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, a luxmeter is used for measiiring the radiation
level on the surface of the photovoltaic panel (120).
[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the invention is used for measuring PV.
characteristics of,
a) single PV module I-V (current-voltage) and P-V (power-voltage) characteristics (with
radiation and temperature charging effect),
b) I-V and P-V characteristics with series and parallel combination of modules,
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c) effect of shading,
d) effect of tilt angle, and
e) demonstration of bypass and blocking diode.
Further, the invention is used for experiments of standalone system,
a) Battery charging and discharging characteristics,
b) Demo of system using DC load with battery (with variable rated capacity of system),
c) Demo of system using AC load with battery, and
d) Combine AC and DC load system with battery.
[0036] In still another embodiment of the invention must be used with precautions like:
a) the main controller must not be exposed to water,
b) don't short circuit the battery terminals or any other source terminal,
c) don't move the module (100) or any of its component while experiment is going on,
d) don't cormect the module o/p to the charge controller before coimecting the battery with
charge controller,
e) don't allow the module temperature above 70°C,
f) shading of the panel should be exactly on the strings only,
g) radiation reading should be taken after module current and voltage readings,
h) observation of tilt angle should be taken as correct as possible, and
i) plug-in the module power lead at the input of charge controller, after coimecting the
battery terminals with the charge controller output terminals.
[0037] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the invention can be used for other
experiments according to need.
[0038] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this
detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
[0039] While, the following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art
to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of the requirement for obtaining a
patent. The present description is the best presently-contemplated method for carrying out the
present invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to
8
those skilled in the art and the generic principles of the present invention may be applied to other
embodiments, and some features of the present invention may be used without the corresponding
use of other features. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest cope consistent with the principles and
features described herein.
[0040] Many modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the arts
to which the present invention applies. Further, it may be desirable to use some of the features of
the present invention without the corresponding use of other features.
[0041] Accordingly, the foregoing description of the present invention should be considered as
merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof

We claim:
1. An Insight Solar PV Training Kit for providing in-depth understanding of solar photovoltaic
plant in a laboratory, the Kit comprises of:
a) a compact solar photovoltaic module (100) for conducting experiments to understand the
characteristics of the photovoltaic module at different conditions, and characteristics of
the photovoltaic module with power flow analysis; the module comprises of;
i) a support stand (110) uniquely designed and collapsible;
ii) a photovoltaic panel (120) mounted on the support stand;
iii) a portable light source (130) consisting of a plurality of regulated lamps for variable
radiation level on the photovoltaic panel;
iv) an adjustable gear (140) mounted on the support stand for changing the tilt of the
photovoltaic panel;
v) a protractor (150) mounted on the support stand for measuring the tilt angle of the
photovoltaic panel; and
b) a main controller (200) for conducting the experiments; the controller comprises of;
i) a temperature meter (210) for measuring the temperature of the module;
ii) an ammeter (212) for measuring the current of the circuit;
iii) a voltmeter (214) for measuring the voltage of the circuit;
iv) a solar charge controller (216) for battery charging and controlling DC load;
v) an inverter input voltage meter (218);
vi) an inverter input current meter (220);
vii) a battery input current meter (222);
viii) a battery input voltage meter (224);
ix) a AC current meter (226);
x) a AC voltage meter (228);
xi) a DC load current meter (230);
xii) a DC load voltage meter (232);
xiii) aplurality of diode (234);
xiv) a plurality of Inverter input port (236);
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xv) a plurality of battery port (23 8);
xvi) a plurality of module output port (240);
xvii) a potentiometer (244) for changing the resistance of the circuit;
xviii) an LED (246);
xix) a plurality of DC load port (248);
xx) an AC load port (250);
xxi) an DC load indicator (252) for indicating the DC load on the circuit;
xxii) an AC load indicator (254) for indicating the AC load on the circuit.
2. The Kit of claim 1, further comprising, luxmeter for measuring the radiation level on the
compact solar photovoltaic module surface.
3. The kit of claim 1, further comprising, a plurality of shading blades for shading part of the
Photovoltaic panel.
4. The Kit of claim 1, wherein the meters mounted on the main controller is concealed meters.
5. The Kit of claiml, wherein the photovoltaic panel is an adjustable two faced foldable panel.
6. The Kit of claim 1, wherein body of the main controller has a protective shield.
7. The Kit of claim 1, wherein a plurality of input ports are mounted on the back side of the
main controller for AC input and Module input.
8. The Kit of claim 1, wherein the compact solar photovoltaic module further comprise a
plurality of ports for connecting to the main controller for conducting experiments.
9. The Kit of claim 1, further comprises a plurality of connecting cable for connecting the
compact solar photovoltaic module to the main controller.
10. The Kit of claim 1, wherein the main controller is ergonomically designed for better user
interactivity while cormecting the terminals and simultaneously taking the corresponding
readings from the meters.