Maximum Power Point
Solar energy can change the world!Copyright US Department of Energy http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/images/photo_06249.jpg
Students learn how to find the maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic (PV) panel in order to optimize its efficiency at creating solar power. They also learn about real-world applications and technologies that use this technique, as well as Ohm's law and the power equation, which govern a PV panel's ability to produce power.
PV panels are becoming an increasingly common way to generate power around the world for many different power applications. As a result, solar energy technology is an emerging energy field that provides opportunities for talented and bright engineers to make beneficial impacts on the environment while solving intriguing engineering challenges. Before attempting to design solar power systems, engineers must understand fundamental electrical laws and equations (including Ohm's law and the power equation) and how they apply to solar energy applications. By understanding the factors that affect electrical circuits and knowing how to control the elements in circuits, engineers are able to design solar power systems that operate as efficiently as possible in different environments with changing weather conditions.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define maximum power point (MPP) as it applies to photovoltaic (PV) panels.
- Explain how inverters are used to maximize the efficiency of a solar power system.
- Explain Ohm's law.
- Explain the power equation.