The research group focuses on the development, characterization, and application of photovoltaic (PV) technologies and systems. Its activities include research on solar cells, photovoltaic modules, and systems, encompassing experimental testing, performance evaluation, and modelling.

 

A particular emphasis is placed on the study of losses and degradation mechanisms affecting the efficiency and reliability of PV energy conversion, including the effects of soiling, shading, temperature, the solar irradiance spectrum, and other environmental factors. The group conducts long-term monitoring of PV systems under real operating conditions and develops methods for energy yield assessment, degradation analysis, and performance optimization. The research interests also include new application areas of photovoltaic technologies, including their integration into buildings and vehicles, as well as deployment on agricultural land and water surfaces.

 

In addition to its research activities, the group develops customized electronic measurement and monitoring systems and actively participates in research, development, and innovation projects in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

• Characterization and testing of solar cells, photovoltaic modules, and PV systems
• Long-term monitoring and performance analysis of photovoltaic systems under real operating conditions
• Analysis and quantification of losses in photovoltaic systems (soiling, shading, temperature effects, and other environmental influences)
• Identification and analysis of degradation mechanisms in photovoltaic modules and systems
• Energy production assessment and energy yield analysis
• Modelling, simulation, and optimization of photovoltaic system performance
• Design and sizing of photovoltaic systems for various applications
• Performance analysis, diagnostics, and condition monitoring of photovoltaic power plants
• Development of customized electronic measurement and monitoring systems for research and industrial applications
• Solar radiation measurement and modelling (spectral analysis and solar radiation components)

Laboratories

• Photovoltaic Systems Laboratory
• Micro- and Nanoelectronics Laboratory
• Electronic and Control Systems Laboratory
• Teaching Laboratory

Equipment

• Photovoltaic systems (PV modules based on different technologies, grid-connected and off-grid inverters, and related equipment)
• EKO MP-11 Portable I-V Curve Tracer
• Solar radiation measurement equipment: EKO MS-711 Spectroradiometer; EKO MS-80, Kipp & Zonen CM11, CM6B, and SpLite Pyranometers
• PVmet-500-M4 Meteorological Station
• Keithley 2412A SourceMeter Unit (SMU)
• National Instruments RMX-4005/RMX-4006 Programmable Electronic Load
• Campbell Scientific CR1000Xe Data Logger
• Solmetric SunEye 210 Shading Analysis Tool
• Six Siemens S7-1200 PLC Training and Development Kits

• Strategic Partnership for Green Energy – OptiNERG
• A System for Establishing a Stable Power Distribution Network – GridS
• Performance and Reliability of Photovoltaic Systems – Evaluations of Large-Scale Monitoring Data, COST Action PEARL PV (CA16235), 2017-2022

The group welcomes collaboration with industrial and research partners in the field of photovoltaic (PV) technologies and systems. The group’s activities include experimental testing and characterization of solar cells, PV modules, and PV systems, analysis of their performance under real operating conditions, and investigation of losses, degradation mechanisms, and failures affecting system operation and reliability.

 

Possible areas of cooperation include PV system design, modelling, and optimization, performance analysis and energy yield assessment, diagnostics of existing installations, and development of monitoring and maintenance methods. Research topics for collaboration include novel PV materials and solar cell architectures, as well as new applications and integration concepts of PV technologies, such as agrivoltaic and floating PV systems.

 

The group is also open to collaboration on the development of customized electronic measurement and monitoring solutions for both research and industrial applications.

 

Possible forms of collaboration include joint research and development projects, consultancy studies and expert assessments, development and validation of new technologies, demonstration projects, and participation in national and international funding programmes.