pRobLemS

            The photovoltaic is a device that that convert solar radiation into electricity. However, during the operation of the PV cell, only around 15% of solar radiation is converted to electricity with the rest converted to heat. The electrical efficiency will decrease when the operating temperature of the PV module increases. So, for getting the highest efficiency, the optimum temperature must be 25^oC.

            In Malaysia, the ambient temperature is  about 34^oC. Due to the increasing temperature, the efficiency will decreased and the output will be low. It is not worth it with the high cost. So, to reach the 25^oC in Malaysia is impossible but by using an active cooling, the temperature can be adjust to the lowest as possible, so the efficiency will be increased.

            There are many types of photovoltaic materials that can be used such as crystalline silicon, amorphous and etc. The commonly types that being used in industry is crystalline silicon. The crystalline silicon (c-Si) has been used as the light-absorbing semiconductor in most solar cells, even though it is a relatively poor absorber of light and requires a considerable thickness (several hundred microns) of material. Nevertheless, it has proved convenient because it yields stable solar cells with good efficiencies (15-17%, half to two-thirds of the theoretical maximum).

            The performance of photovoltaic and thermoelectric is being monitored and measured by using LabView that provide graphical display output chart, graph or pie chart. LabView also will become a problem because inefficient in using it. To overcome, LabView will be studied in more detail.