Solar cells device

About

Background: The original purpose of this invention was to record data points of the power curve of an electrical circuit by employing a microcontroller and a few peripheral devices. This collection of devices, hereafter referred to as the "datalogger," can be more accurate than humans because humans may take several minutes to record as many data points as this device can record in a matter of a few seconds. This quick recording time helps avoid allowing solar conditions to vary enough to skew recording results. The microcontroller in the datalogger incorporates a program which governs the access and use of a Real Time Clock module, an SD Card Module, and a Digital to Analog Voltage Converter Module. These devices work in tandem with a microcontroller to record data and store this data in an SD card. The design is unique in that it alters its own load (internal resistance) and measures the resulting current through, and voltage across, the load. When first powered up, the datalogger waits until a predetermined amount of time elapses before beginning the logging cycle. This represents one implementation of delaying between recordings. The datalogger might contain a component that will allow this value to vary. In the original prototypes I created, the datalogger had no such components. About the Market: This invention can be used by several different types of people. Hobbyists and common citizens might use it to verify the maximum power point of their solar array on their house. Solar companies might be able to use it for data analysis. Scientists and engineers might use it to graph power measurements on their solar/ power generating devices.