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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Photovoltaic Sub-Module With Optical Sensor for Angular Measurements of Incident Light

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Author(s):
de Campos da Costa, Joffo Paulo [1] ; Gounella, Rodrigo Henrique [1] ; Bastos, Wagner Benicio [2] ; Longo, Elson [2] ; Carmo, Joao Paulo [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Elect Engn, Grp Metamat Microwaves & Opt, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem, LIEC Lab, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL; v. 19, n. 8, p. 3111-3120, APR 15 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

This paper presents a photovoltaic (PV) sub-module with an optical sensor for angular measurements of incident light. The optical sensor is a CMOS microdevice for accurate tracking of the solar incident angle for application on PV systems. This microdevice was designed in 0.7-mu m CMOS and is composed by a matrix of photodiodes and the respective read-out circuits. A set of microstructures on metal with the widths of 5 and 10 mu m was fabricated on the top of the photodiodes to allow the measuring of angles on a wide range of illuminations and for calibration purposes. The measurements clone in the laboratory and in real-field open environments confirmed the suitability to track with good precision the maximum sun's incident angle in the range {[}0 degrees, 180 degrees], only limited by the servomotor to rotate the system. This PV sub-module measures 12 cm x 10 cm x 4 cm and presents a total power consumption of 265 mW, when supplied by 5 V. These features combined with the low cost of this PV sub-module bring excellent prospects for its installation on PV cells to achieve a maximum efficiency in the solar to electric energy conversion. To finish, this PV sub-module costs less than \$130, opening good perspectives for its popularization. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials
Grantee:Elson Longo da Silva
Support type: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC