Development of Low-cost Remote Online Laboratory for
Photovoltaic Cell and Module Characterization
Abstract: Laboratory experiments are vital component of engineering education. In recent years,
significant interest and shift of paradigm from in-class to online teaching is observed which
although offers many benefits but poses a great challenge to integrate lab experiments into
online
courses and degree programs. Internet-based laboratories are a potential solution to address this
challenge and to meet required course level outcomes for distant learning students.
This paper
discusses the design and development of a novel low-cost remote laboratory system and associated
experiments designed for introductory level as well as advanced learners of photovoltaics and
renewable energy courses. The hardware setup consists of an integrated source-measure unit, LED
array illumination system, and interconnection electronics controlled by an embedded Python
program running on a Raspberry Pi Zero W. Measurement multiplexing approach
allows multiple
users to access the system and perform real-time experiments at the same time. The system
communicates to a remote computer through google APIs and therefore can work under any wifi
environment or even cellular network connections without the hassle and
complexity of hosting a
local server. Users can remotely access the system, perform experiments and acquire experimental
data through a graphical user interface developed using Visual C#. The user-end
program is made
freely available to students and is currently patent pending. The paper details the hardware setup,
software interface, discusses the designed experiments and future prospects.