Photovoltaic Power Research Plant | Tampere universities

Tampere University Photovoltaic (PV) Power Research Plant, located on the rooftop of Sähkötalo building at Hervanta Campus, consists of 69 PV modules with irradiance and temperature measurements, full scale weather station, electrical measuring system, automatic data acquisition and database storage system. The measurement system provides detailed knowledge of the operating conditions and operation of PV power plants.

Polycrystalline silicon PV modules
Sensors to measure irradiance (POA, GHI and DHI), PV module temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity and ambient temperature
Current–voltage curve tracers

Weather data webpage

The measurement system makes it possible to study even the fastest environmental phenomena relevant to the operation of PV systems.

The main current research areas utilizing the measurement system are:

Optimal operation of PV generators under changing operating conditions
Condition monitoring and diagnostics of PV systems
Sizing and control of energy storage systems used with PV and wind power systems
Grid integration of PV and wind power systems

Kari Lappalainen

Tampere University

Assistant Professor (tenure track)

Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

+358505663117kari.lappalainen [at] tuni.fi