Experimental characterization of the photovoltaic generator for a hybrid solar vehicle

In this paper, the experimental characterization and the model identification of a photovoltaic generator for a hybrid solar vehicle are described and discussed. After a discussion about the decisions made during the design stage, the experimental results obtained by using a prototype of hybrid solar vehicle are presented and compared with those ones obtained by means of a non linear numerical model, both under uniform irradiance level as well as in mismatching conditions. The experimental test bed is described in detail and results of the measurements, in terms of power and energy produced during daylight, are used to sketch the future activities concerning the optimization of the prototype of hybrid solar vehicle.