The characteristics of a Photovoltaic system in a cold district. (First report)

The energy crisis of 1973 resulted in increased interest in solar energy, especially, the realization of a photovoltaic system able to convert solar energy into electricity. In Japan, study has been done mainly through the New Energy Development organization (NEDO). Due to its high daylight rate and little snow in winter, the Kitami district is good for the utilization of solar energy. Last year, we developed a measurement system which can measure solar radiation, the electric power of a solar cell, etc, by microcomputer, and we have been studying these characteristics in Kitami. In this paper, we report the outline of the measurement system developed and the characteristics of the solar cell of 35W out put which is set up on the roof of the natural energy laboratory’s second building